Yet when unlike 25 years ago, last summer the Olmert government led Israel to defeat in Lebanon, it weakened the standing of administration officials who view Israel as a strategic ally and oppose the Saudis, while strengthening Israel's Baker-inspired foes who view Israel as a strategic liability.
As long as Saddam Hussein believes that his allies and friends will not support American attacks that entail going beyond the status quo ante and as long as he judges that the United States will not unilaterally undertake such attacks against himself and his country, he is unlikely to view the Baker-Bush threats seriously.
"I think it probably should, if we're being completely correct, because it's named after the chap who funded Baker's Park just down the hill - because it's a view of his park, " one resident said.