By Tony Lang

Don't expect gratitude for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Don't count on Iraqis dancing in the streets as the Afghans did when Americans troops freed their towns. Don't count on France, Germany or Russia saying, "You were right; we were wrong," as U.S. troops root out Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Don't expect Iraq's Arab neighbors, who despise Saddam Hussein, to applaud his removal at the hands of the coalition. Don't expect the Pope to send George Bush a thank-you note for saving Kurds, Shiites and other Saddam opponents from torture, rape or execution. Don't expect a free Iraqi government, after the war, to vow enduring friendship with us.

It could happen, but don't hold your breath.

The Iraqi men who stormed food aid trucks in Safwan Wednesday were chanting "Saddam, yes; Bush, no." Kuwait Red Crescent officials called it a "disaster" that food intended for starving farm families got "hijacked" by healthy young men. Aid crews will get better at it, but don't count on Brits and Americans being held forever in Iraqi hearts. Some already blame Bush for bringing "chaos" to their lives.

Don't expect Germans to thank us for removing Saddam's lethal regime from the world scene. Reuters reports German restaurants are boycotting Budweiser, Marlboro and Coke. Antiwar boycotters think it's a "brilliant idea" to avoid Starbucks, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts and Burger King. Most American brand products are made fresh in Germany by German workers. In Cincinnati we know all too well about the irrationality of boycott groups.

Don't expect French officials to play anything other than their usual despicable role. The French are demanding post-war Iraq contracts for French companies. President Jacques Chirac, who stiffed Bush in the United Nations, now vows he will veto any U.N. resolution that gives "American and British belligerents the right to administer Iraq."

Don't expect thanks even from those Iraqis who fight under threat of a Ba'athist bullet in the head.

The only thanks that matters is the thanks we give our troops.