U.S. must reopen relations with Iraq

The new U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will make a difference to American foreign policy, even if she faithfully echoes President Bill Clinton's thinking on key issues such as NATO expansion and the Middle East peace process.

Indeed, there is more she can do for world peace by bringing a new clarity, sense of fair play and respect to resolve the Middle East crisis.

The U.S. must re-open relations with Iraq and avoid going beyond the sanctions imposed by the UN on Baghdad to undermine the territorial integrity of Iraq.

If the U.S. intends to remain at the center as an honest broker in the Middle East, as Albright said it does, it must also recognize the need to act swiftly to create an independent Palestinian state.

-- Gulf News, Abu Dhabi