Looks like Iraq is preparing for the future tourist boom. The Iraqi tourist board has 2,400 staff and 14 offices set up already. Some ideas are to turn Saddam's palaces and his home town of Tikirit into a tourist destination.

The only disclaimer is:

"Tourists should dress like locals and maybe dye their hair. And they should have armed guards and they should be always vigilant."

Not the standard checklist when going on vacation.

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This is one reason I hope Iraq is successful in joining the world community as a stable democracy.

I am a Christian, but for 3 of the worlds few global religions, as well as for secularists interested in ancient history, and no so ancient history, Iraq is a major focal point. It is one of the cradles of civilization.

I don't know how well it has kept watch on its historical treasures, but I can tell easily that if it stabalizes, it will have significant amounts of money pouring in, along with researchers, to big into its glorious past and recooperate what can be discovered --- which will benefit Iraq in more ways than one and benefit the knowledge in the world.

It will not be like Egypt ---- not on that grand a scale ------ but Iraq could become one of the destinations for such tourists.

And if I ever have the money, I'd love to go.