AFter Mr. Bush and his neocon cronies trashed the U.N., it now appears we can't live without them. If I were Kofi Annan I'd be tempted to tell them where to stick it. Fortunately Mr. Annan is more honorable than the people we have running this country right now.

<a href="http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRAQ?SITE=WAOLY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULTU.S. Counting on U.N. for Help in Iraq

By BARRY SCHWEID
AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As it weighs a major change in how to transfer political power to Iraqis, the Bush administration is relying ever more heavily on the United Nations to help clear the remaining high hurdles ahead.

It is an ironic turn of events for an administration that worked hard to keep the United Nations role in the background in the reconstruction of Iraq after the toppling of President Saddam Hussein. Now the United States is counting on the U.N.'s influence to help reach a solution to the ever-more complex political stalemate.

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