There is a time and place for everything. Many of us have a well-developed sense of when and how to broach certain topics – whether to discuss things privately or publicly, when to diverge from the issues at hands. To get along with others, we all operate by the unspoken rules that govern the appropriateness of when and how to deal with difficult issues.

Many felt such sensibilities were violated at the World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, when U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell was booed by protesters as he outlined the Bush administration’s policy for increasing trade for international development and extending assistance to nations in need of development resources.

Part of the less-than-receptive response can be attributed to criticism that the United States has not lived up to standards set in other world meetings – Kyoto and Rio, for example. However, some of the criticism can be traced back to Powell’s attempt to double-dip on his trip to Johannesburg. Rather than sticking to the issues of sustainable development – the environment, public health and agriculture – Powell also used the venue for currying support for a U.S.-led attack on Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein and the threats he poses.

The U.S. proposal has received mixed support from around the globe, with staunch backing from the United Kingdom and others with equally vociferous opposition from Germany, Russia and many Asian nations. While the U.S. government has managed to sell the idea to many Americans, a looming attack on Iraq seems a less savory notion to others in the region and those still skeptical of American motivation for another war in the Gulf.

The fact remains that the World Summit is a forum for discussing global strategy for combating forces that contribute to poverty and instability throughout the world. Unfortunately, Powell’s platform for development – ending corruption, collaborating to provide fresh drinking water and opening foreign borders for free trade was drowned out by protests of U.S. actions and impending U.S. pre-emptive action in Iraq.

The past year Powell has criss-crossed the globe as America’s number one envoy in building support for American action against terrorist threats. However, the Johannesburg summit was neither an appropriate time or place to broach the topic of action against Iraq. Powell’s attempts at garnering support backfired, and opposition hardened.

There is a time and a place for everything. President Bush addresses the United Nations in New York on September 12. That will be an infinitely more appropriate time to discuss with world leaders the possibility of war with Iraq.

Editorial Board: Cavan Reagan, Erin Randolph, Rachel Faber Machacha, Charlie Weaver, Zach Calef, Ayrel Clark.