Albright on Saddam

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's remarks late last week that Washington would consider opening a dialog with Baghdad only after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is replaced naturally drew criticism from many quarters.

It is virtually unprecedented that a country would serve notice on another that the latter may not expect normal relations with it unless it literally overthrows its own regime by whatever means.

Had Albright called for the introduction of democracy and respect of human rights in Iraq as a precondition for establishing contacts with Baghdad, the call might have been seen as fair and appropriate.

-- The Jordan Times, Amman