IN EXCHANGE for a withdrawal of US and British troops, Saddam Hussein sends word that he is prepared to share some of his power with a senior member of his Baathist inner circle. Instead of maintaining absolute control over the Iraqi state, Saddam agrees to name Tariq Aziz his official deputy. The job will carry some limited authority, such as the right to appoint Cabinet members without Saddam's prior approval. But Aziz will hold office at Saddam's pleasure, and the Iraqi security forces will continue to take their orders from Saddam. Sound like a good deal? Like the kind of democratic ''regime change'' that George W. Bush and Tony Blair would gladly embrace? Of course not. Any arrangement that left Saddam or his henchmen in control would be an ignominious defeat for the allies and a shameful betrayal of the Iraqi people. Whatever else regime change in Baghdad entails, at a minimum it must sweep the dictator and his accomplices from power.


Why should it do any less in Ramallah?[...]