DURHAM, N.C. -- To repair its "ham-handed diplomacy" leading up to the war in Iraq and to build worldwide support for its rebuilding effort, the Bush administration must change its rhetoric and involve U.N. inspectors in the hunt for weapons of mass destruction, a Duke University political scientist says.

"The administration could, without going through any humiliating self-abasement, change the tone of its rhetoric as a major starting point," says Ole Holsti, George V. Allen Professor of Political Science at Duke. "And a few words of thanks to the many countries that helped in Afghanistan would be late, but better late than never."

Holsti, an expert on international relations and foreign policy decision-making, adds the U.S. should do even more as it contemplates seeking U.N. Security Council endorsement of its plan to build a new government in Iraq.

Though they have said such an endorsement would be key in securing money and troops from other countries, U.S. officials now might not ask for the Security Council's support because of stiff opposition to its plans.

"The U.S. could invite the U.N. inspectors to continue the job of looking for weapons of mass destruction," Holsti says. "It would add a lot of credibility to any weapons finds. It would also be a step toward mending fences with the U.N.

"We should recognize that sending troops to Iraq may well be politically costly for other countries, and thus a great deal of effective diplomacy is called for," he says, noting there is no sign the Bush administration is willing to share power with other countries, or let them bid on reconstruction work. "We should also recognize that asking others to pay for the privilege of bailing us out is rather presumptuous."

Holsti can be reached for additional comment at (919) 942-4232.