They wanted an international rather than an American response to Iraq.

American response to these requests has been lukewarm at best.

But the official American response has been muted, in words and actions.

Officials say that lack of money is not the problem with the American response.

But perhaps a different stage in the battle could be reached with a creative American response.

The American response to the victims' plight may change that.

Until this month, the American response was, very largely, to apply pressure.

A favorable American response would have brought in the other developed countries.

This knowledge, in turn, could help to determine the American response.

However, the final American response, which is likely to come later this week, remains uncertain.