I have been a great believer

that having shat in Iraq's kitchen we should not leave until we have cleaned up our mess. I mean just have a look at the place - it was nothing like that four years ago when Saddam Hussein, cruel man that he was, was running it. We have good reason to feel guilty and to feel morally obliged to repair what we have destroyed. But I liken the situation to that of the drunken dinner guest who is nauseous at the table. He feels guilty and very embarrassed and he tries to clean up his mess with his serviette but manages only to spread it further and into the lap of his host while knocking over the crystal glasses and a bottle of champagne. "Oh, for God's sake just leave it," he is told. "I will call you a taxi. It has been nice of you to come. Good night."

Some things like Iraq cannot be made better no matter the guilt and the noble intentions to make reparations. We should have thought of that beforehand. The time has come for Iraq to call us a taxi.