But building monuments to difficult problems is not a policy. As Churchill once wrote about the Mulberry harbors (his ingenious plan to install prefabricated floating piers a day after the Normandy landings), the difficulties will argue for themselves.

From this perspective, America s involvement in World War I and, even more so, in World War II, are exceptions to the rule. The US troops that landed on Normandy beaches in June 1944 were animated by a strong sense of mission.

BRUSSELS Many years ago, I took my children to visit the sites of the D Day landings in Normandy. I wanted them to understand the sacrifices that others had made so that Europe and North America could enjoy the benefits of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Next week, President Bush, President Chirac, and Chancellor Schroeder will meet on the cliffs of Normandy to mark the 60th anniversary of the D Day invasions that led to the liberation of Europe. They should also seize the moment to liberate themselves from the bitterness that has divided the Atlantic Alliance over the Iraq War, argue Pierre Lellouche and Christoph Bertram.