From the White House

From the March 19 White House press briefing:

Q Second question. I think the White House has stated its position that it would like the United Nations to help in the reconstruction of Iraq. And I've heard some reports that maybe the oil money from Iraq's sale of oil could be used for reconstruction. Is that something the White House would like to see?

MR. FLEISCHER: I think there's no question that the Iraqi nation possesses a number of resources. They are a wealthy nation and they have the ability to do what wealthy nations should do -- and that is to turn their wealth to peaceful purposes, rather than military purposes.

Now, while we will only spend 4% of our GNP on our military budget, that still amounts to more than the rest of the world. Combined. Are we really trying to convince people that wealthy nations should turn their wealth to peaceful purposes rather than military purposes?