U.S. to Negotiate With Syria and Iran? - The Orange Mane

Bronco_Beerslug · 11-12-2006, 11:20 AM

Looks like it since this recommendation was already known in the report.

----------------------------------------------------
Bush, team to meet with Iraq Study Group
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush's chief of staff said Sunday "nobody can be happy with the situation" now in
Iraq and the White House would consider the idea of U.S. talks with Syria and Iran if a blue-ribbon commission recommended that.

President Bush and his national security team planned to meet Monday with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which is trying to develop a new course for the war.

"We're looking forward to the recommendations," said Josh Bolten, Bush's top aide. With Democrats seizing majorities in the House and Senate in last week's elections and urging a change in Iraq policy, Bolten said the White House is "looking forward to a dialogue with bipartisan leaders in Congress."

"Everybody's objective here is to succeed in Iraq. I think that's true of Democrats as well as Republicans. But the president has said we need to get fresh eyes on the problem. We need a fresh perspective," Bolten said.

Already, military commanders are re-evaluating strategy to determine what changes are needed "to get ourselves more focused on the correct objectives," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman said last week.

The administration, Bolten said, "has always been ready to make a course adjustment" in Iraq.

"Nobody can be happy with the situation in Iraq right now. Everybody's been working hard, but what we've been doing has not worked well enough or fast enough," Bolten said. "So it's clearly time to put fresh eyes on the problem. The president has always been interested in tactical adjustments. But the ultimate goal remains the same, which is success in Iraq."

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group with ex-Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, has questioned the administration's policy of not talking to the Iranians or Syrians, whom the United States has accused of helping terrorism, about cooperating on a way to end the violence in Iraq and stabilize the country.

Bolten, asked in an interview with CNN's "Late Edition" whether the administration was open to talking to Iran and Syria, said "nothing is off the table. All the options will be considered" from the commission.

"There's been lots of talking with Iran and Syria over the years ... The important thing is what do the Iraqis want," he said.

"The problem hasn't been a lack of communication. But we'll look at whatever the Baker-Hamilton commission come up with because there are a lot of good smart people there and see what they're recommendations are," Bolten said.

Iran's hard-line Shiite theocracy maintains close ties to Iraqi Shiites, who make up about 60 percent of Iraq's population and dominate the government. Iraq's Sunnis are highly suspicious of such ties.
CONT

SteveTensi13 · 11-12-2006, 11:02 PM

Looks the dems are once again willing to negotiate with terrorists. Sigh.

Bronco_Beerslug · 11-13-2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveTensi13

Looks the dems are once again willing to negotiate with terrorists. Sigh.

Looks like you can't read, once again.

defenseman · 11-13-2006, 09:42 AM

There will have to be some diplomacy here. Keeping in mind of course, the "bad guys" feel as though they got the "W" with the election of a democratic majority in congress. This fact, cannot be removed from the equation. I'm for getting out of iraq in a manner which best supports our redefined mission, whatever direction that is. Keep in mind, no matter what the conditions, the terrorists will claim victory. This doesn't mean though, we just pick up our toys and bolt. That is the last thing that should happen considering present conditions. It will breed nothing but more and more reprisals against us in the near future...dman

11-12-2006, 11:20 AM	#1
Bronco_Beerslug Angling in the Deep Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Riviera, Southern Mountains Posts: 24,281	U.S. to Negotiate With Syria and Iran? Looks like it since this recommendation was already known in the report. ---------------------------------------------------- Bush, team to meet with Iraq Study Group By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - President Bush's chief of staff said Sunday "nobody can be happy with the situation" now in Iraq and the White House would consider the idea of U.S. talks with Syria and Iran if a blue-ribbon commission recommended that. President Bush and his national security team planned to meet Monday with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which is trying to develop a new course for the war. "We're looking forward to the recommendations," said Josh Bolten, Bush's top aide. With Democrats seizing majorities in the House and Senate in last week's elections and urging a change in Iraq policy, Bolten said the White House is "looking forward to a dialogue with bipartisan leaders in Congress." "Everybody's objective here is to succeed in Iraq. I think that's true of Democrats as well as Republicans. But the president has said we need to get fresh eyes on the problem. We need a fresh perspective," Bolten said. Already, military commanders are re-evaluating strategy to determine what changes are needed "to get ourselves more focused on the correct objectives," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman said last week. The administration, Bolten said, "has always been ready to make a course adjustment" in Iraq. "Nobody can be happy with the situation in Iraq right now. Everybody's been working hard, but what we've been doing has not worked well enough or fast enough," Bolten said. "So it's clearly time to put fresh eyes on the problem. The president has always been interested in tactical adjustments. But the ultimate goal remains the same, which is success in Iraq." Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group with ex-Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, has questioned the administration's policy of not talking to the Iranians or Syrians, whom the United States has accused of helping terrorism, about cooperating on a way to end the violence in Iraq and stabilize the country. Bolten, asked in an interview with CNN's "Late Edition" whether the administration was open to talking to Iran and Syria, said "nothing is off the table. All the options will be considered" from the commission. "There's been lots of talking with Iran and Syria over the years ... The important thing is what do the Iraqis want," he said. "The problem hasn't been a lack of communication. But we'll look at whatever the Baker-Hamilton commission come up with because there are a lot of good smart people there and see what they're recommendations are," Bolten said. Iran's hard-line Shiite theocracy maintains close ties to Iraqi Shiites, who make up about 60 percent of Iraq's population and dominate the government. Iraq's Sunnis are highly suspicious of such ties. CONT

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11-12-2006, 11:02 PM	#2
SteveTensi13 GIVE ME SOME MORE ORANGE OLD SCHOOL BRONCO Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Helmand province, Afghanistan Posts: 1,830 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brandon Stokley	Looks the dems are once again willing to negotiate with terrorists. Sigh.

11-13-2006, 09:42 AM	#4
defenseman Ring of Famer 2007 record pred. (7-9) Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 9,232	There will have to be some diplomacy here. Keeping in mind of course, the "bad guys" feel as though they got the "W" with the election of a democratic majority in congress. This fact, cannot be removed from the equation. I'm for getting out of iraq in a manner which best supports our redefined mission, whatever direction that is. Keep in mind, no matter what the conditions, the terrorists will claim victory. This doesn't mean though, we just pick up our toys and bolt. That is the last thing that should happen considering present conditions. It will breed nothing but more and more reprisals against us in the near future...dman