Comment: Prosperity is Iraq's only hope

Much like the demolition of the Berlin Wall, it signalled the end of an era of ruthless and despised dictatorship.

But there was much more to celebrate for the East Berliners. They had food, they had water, they had power supplies. Most had jobs and the prospect of economic prosperity.

For the citizens of Baghdad and the rest of Iraq there are no such luxuries, and little prospect of them in the immediate future.

And while East Germany could immediately enjoy the taste of freedom, Iraq is under occupation.

Iraq is liberated in name only. The people of Iraq are fearful of their future. Some are suspicious of the US and British troops. Others are resentful.

Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein the tension in the country has built up steadily, culminating in yesterday's suicide bomb attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad.

The response to the atrocity must be appropriate and considered.

UN staff in Baghdad, the victims of yesterday's terrorist attack, were working on behalf of the ordinary people of Iraq to distribute humanitarian aid, to support the emerging free press and to monitor human rights.

Nothing must be done to undermine the UN's role in these vital matters.

While it is right that those behind yesterday's attack are tracked down and brought to justice, the last thing the Coalition forces want to be dragged into is a guerrilla war with fanatical terrorists.

Obviously, security has to be given a high priority by both the US and British governments, as well as the UN.

But they should not overlook the fact that the justification for the invasion of Iraq was to depose Saddam Hussein and to replace his heinous regime with a self-sustaining democracy.

Only by re-doubling efforts to rebuild the economic and political structures will the people of Iraq achieve genuine security.

In the long-term, the restoration of prosperity is the only means to end the military occupation and remove the threat of terrorism.