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Re. Iraq

If military forces are going to selectively distribute food and water to populations that are most cooperative with U. S. special forces, they are likely to neglect communities most in need, such as women and children, who make up the bulk of the civilian population. A heated debate is going on within the administration as to which Cabinet department should lead the humanitarian response – the Department of Defense or the Department of State. While the military can provide a secure environment in which large-scale humanitarian relief efforts are possible, civilian-led agencies such as the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development should make the decisions on when, how and to whom aid should be delivered.

If the United States is going to win the "hearts and minds" of the Iraqi people, our leaders should help the most vulnerable and distribute aid where it is needed most – not where they think it will gain them the most political favor.

Darla Silva
The writer is a liaison with the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children.