How many times do they repeat the garbage that the Iraqi government invited Iran and Syria? They've wanted this for some time. The only thing new about this is the flip-flop by Bush, which comes 12-18 months late like everything else they do. The rhetoric they use sets it up so it looks like a failure in the Iraqi government rather than our government if the talks break down. Maybe this is better late than never, but it may be too late. We could be 1-2 years down this road already if the administration weren't so incompetent. If there is any hope for progress, these talks are going to be very long, contentious and hard. It could take a while to get any results. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17364686/ WASHINGTON - The United States and the Iraqi government are launching a new diplomatic initiative to invite Iran and Syria to a “neighbors meeting” on stabilizing Iraq, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday. “We hope that all governments seize this opportunity to improve their relations with Iraq and to work for peace and stability in the region,” Rice said in remarks prepared for delivery to a Senate committee. Excerpts were released in advance by the State Department. The move reflects a change of approach by the Bush administration, which previously had resisted calls by members of Congress and by a bipartisan Iraq review group to include Iran and Syria in diplomatic talks on stabilizing Iraq. “I am pleased to announce that we are also supporting the Iraqis in a new diplomatic offensive: to build greater support, both within the region and beyond, for peace and prosperity in Iraq,” Rice said, adding that U.S. and Iraqi officials agree that success in Iraq “requires the positive support of Iraq’s neighbors.” Iran faces growing pressure The announcement came even as the United States is engaged in its latest confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program, which U.S. officials say is aimed at developing nuclear weapons but Tehran says is for new sources of energy. A U.N. Security Council deadline for Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment has just expired, and in response the U.S. wants the council to expand the limited sanctions the world body has imposed on Iran. Rice stressed that it was the Iraqi government inviting Iran and Syria to participate, with the United States in support. U.S. expects neighbors to play a ‘constructive role’ At the White House, press secretary Tony Snow told reporters the administration is “happy that the government of Iraq is taking this step and engaging its neighbors. And we also hope and expect that Iran and Syria will play constructive roles in those talks.” But Snow cautioned people to be patient, noting that “this is one where the agenda is being set up by the government of Iraq. And the conditions, especially for bilateral conversations with the Iranians, are pretty clear.” The administration in recent weeks had increased its public criticism of Iran’s role in Iraq, charging it with supplying deadly weapons, including advanced technologies for the most lethal form of roadside bombs. The administration also has accused Syria of harboring anti-Iraqi government forces and allowing weapons to cross its border. Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were testifying Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the administration’s budget request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Waiting for RSVPs The Iraqi government announced in Baghdad that it is preparing the meeting for mid-March, and that invitees include members of the Arab League and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Syria will be represented at the conference by Ahmed Arnous, an aide to the foreign minister, an Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plans had not yet been formally announced. Other Arab countries and Iran have not confirmed their attendance or the level of delegates they would send. Rice said the mid-March meeting will be held at the sub-ministerial level. That is to be followed, perhaps as early as the first half of April, by a full ministerial-level meeting with the same invited countries, plus members of the G-8 group of leading industrial powers. “I would note that the Iraqi government has invited Syria and Iran to attend both of these regional meetings,” Rice said. She also noted that the Iraq Study Group, headed by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, had recommended inviting Iran and Syria to such a neighbors meeting. At the time of that recommendation in December, President Bush rejected that diplomatic approach.
And they never would have without US backing. It's a nice little surprise though. Maybe the rumor is true that Jr has finally started to listen to others besides deadeye and the neocon cabal.
The sad part is the US would do exactly what Iran is doing if an unfriendly power attempted to create a foothold near its borders, remember what happened when Castro took over in 1959? The failed Bay of Pigs invasion and the numerous failed assasination attempts of Castro? This seems like a welcome change in recent events, which seemed to indicate that the US was using Iranian action in Iraq as an excuse to start a war with Iran. The Cuba situation was defused when the US and USSR negotiated and came to an agreement, both sides stood down, and there has been no war over Cuba since. I'm sure that no matter how deep the bad blood runs between the US and Iran, it can't run any deeper than the bad blood between the US and USSR. If the US and Iran negotiate in good faith, they will come to an agreement. It seems from some previous indications that Iran had attempted to negotiate (in 2003 they proposed as concessions basically what the Americans want now, but back then the administration was heavy into cowboy diplomacy and thinking they could beat the **** out of everyone). This is a reasonable step in the right direction but a lot more needs to be done.
Props to the administration for keeping an open mind about this, even if it's a bit late. No sure what kind of impact it might have though without seriously addressing the nuclear standoff with Iran and the various grievances the Syrians have with the U.S. and Israel.
Props? Are you kidding?? I agree with A_3PO... stupid Bush is finally doing what everyone with any intelligence, including his Dad's friends, has been saying for years. Talk to the players in the region, whether you like their governments or not. Bush has been a freakin' idiot. This should have happened long ago. Heck, Bush and company STILL may find a way not to talk to Syria and Iran. D&D. Talk isn't Cheap. It's What We Do.
its ok. this administration will find a way to screw this up too. encouraging first step i guess. but by now i doubt iran and especially syria have that much ability. iraq is a mes.
