Two views of the situation in Iraq....

The mainstream view, promoted by President Bush on May 1st and embraced by Americans who seek no further for their news than Fox or ABC:

"In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country," the president told some 2,000 sailors and airmen aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln some 100 miles off the American coast. "In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment "

(Full story here.)

Alternate view, believed by the rest of the world, including Americans who are more discerning in their choice of news sources:

You have only to step inside Saddam Hussein's old palace complex - where coalition officials trying to rebuild Iraq are based - to see that the task is way beyond them.

When the civilian administration of the ORHA (Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance) first arrived there, it was said there was only one working shower for 800 people. The situation has improved a little now, but they work in sweltering offices and sleep five or six to a room.

There are no telephones on the desks, and the real world of looted buildings and car thefts outside the palace is a distant prospect. No one is allowed out without an escort of soldiers....

According to the Telegraph/U.K. story, Barbara Bodine, the (recalled) U.S. official in charge of Baghdad, was unaware for 24 hours after the event that US soldiers had shot dead more than a dozen Iraqi protesters in Fallujah a fortnight ago. Likewise:

More than a month after the fall of Baghdad, the city still has no authority - no mayor and practically no police on the streets - while looters continue to pillage government buildings and honest folk keep their daughters at home for fear they will be abducted by armed thugs.

(Complete Telegraph story here.)

Which one do you believe?