Quoted by p. - "But if the radical islamists were rather indifferent, it was not the case of the moderated Moslems, and precisely of these same whose support had been necessary to oppose Ben Laden and to legitimate the removal of Saddam Hussein."

Context. - "Personally, I would not have been hostile to the intervention in Iraq, even without approval from the UN, if the United States had been able to obtain the adhesion of certain Arab powers - - - "

I think what the author is saying is that had the US sought and obtained the support of Middle Eastern countries in removing Saddam then he would have supported even an illegal invasion.

And he gives as the probable price of obtaining that support an "equitable position in the Israel-Palestinian conflict."

And that's hard to argue with. Expecting Middle Eastern countries to take the lead prior to 9-11 is silly, and wasn't at all the thrust of his editorial.

Arf