The Times of London is reporting a "row" within the Bush administration over post-Iraq governance. State, naturally, wants to insert hardened diplomats who will be ever-so-friendly to Islamists and police states. Multilateral statecraft, seeking support and advice of all the world from such municipally rich places as China and Russia to the ever-morally clear France, is wonderful for the first six months of photo-ops; not so good in the reality of years down the road, when a stumbling, corrupt, Islamist-infested Iraq is no better off than when the Ba'athists ran it. Barbara Bodine, better known for her obstacles set in front of the FBI's U.S.S. Cole investigation in Yemen - it was distressing the poor locals - is apparently being held up by Rumsfeld & Co.

The rest of the diplomatic staff, from gingerbread-cookie mineclearers to apologists for Al Jazeera, isn't much to look at, either.

Mr. Rumsfeld: for the good of world stability, please persuade your superior to give Ms. Bodine and her motley crew proverbial elevator passes for the one-story building.