Kofi Annan's shuttle diplomacy to the Middle East all last week was right and timely, and, for me, successful. Getting the presidents of Syria and Iran to give their countries' official support to the Lebanese-Israel cease-fire, and Lebanon's reconstruction, and saying so personally to the UN Sec Gen on their own soil, was historic. We must applaud.

Not getting Tehran to backdown on the uranium enrichment or nuclear matter is no setback as such. He got a first-hand reassurance of a commitment to dialogue and negotiation, plus Iran's reaffirmation of its disavowal of nuclear weapons as a state policy. This point was re-echoed in the United States by ex-president Khatami who is currently visiting the Americans. He gave an insightful interview to CNN on this and other pertinent issues. Quite instructive, indeed.

I am hopeful.