Last weekend, President Jalal Talabani said officials from his office had met with insurgent representatives and he was hopeful they might agree to a deal. Talabani also said American officials met with insurgents. They are on going although the article notes they've slowed down while the new government is formed. But its still a promising development that there ARE talks between the insurgents and the government, no? I mean, I don't want to break into your constant stream of negativity and doomsaying, but talks seem to me at least to be a positive step.
‘Iraqi insurgents not in contact with US anymore’ Associated Press -- * Representatives of 10 insurgent groups met Khalilzad seven times * Talks focused on US withdrawal from Iraq DUBAI: Iraqi insurgents met with the US ambassador seven times but decided to break off contacts after formation of the new Iraqi government, a major Arabic-language newspaper said Tuesday. In a rare interview with the London-based Asharq Al Awsat newspaper, an Iraqi insurgent leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the talks with US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad first took place in Amman, Jordan on Jan. 16 and continued in Baghdad at an undisclosed location outside the Green Zone. “Seven meetings took place between us- the representatives of more than 10 prominent Iraqi resistance groups- and the American ambassador, three of which took place before Feb 6,” the militant leader was quoted as saying. At one meeting, Iraqi insurgents presented a Memorandum of Understanding in which the Americans showed interest. They promised to respond before the formation of the new Iraqi government, which took place April 22. “More than two months have passed, the government was formed, and we have not yet received a response (from the Americans), positive or negative,” the insurgent said. “So we decided to end the talks and we informed them of this in a memo we delivered the day before yesterday.” There was no immediate comment from US officials on the report. Last month, however, Khalilzad confirmed that US officials had met with people linked to the Sunni-dominated insurgency, although it was unclear whether these were intermediaries or insurgents themselves. At the time, he said US officials and their Iraqi partners were “a long way” from a deal to end the Sunni-dominated insurgency. According to Asharq Al Awsat, the insurgent leader said the talks focused on a US withdrawal from Iraq. He said the Americans agreed to meet certain conditions during a supposed “period of calm” between Feb 6 and Feb 13, but they failed to do so. “We had certain primary conditions including a halt to military operations, arrest raids against innocent Iraqis, and the release of prisoners that were arrested unjustly...but they failed to implement their obligations so the Iraqi resistance continued their operations,” the insurgent told the newspaper. He said the insurgents made it clear to Khalilzad that they would negotiate with him only, though in the interview, the insurgent acknowledged meeting with US military officials, including an aide to the top US commander in Iraq, Gen George Casey. The insurgent said those meetings had nothing to do with reported contacts between seven armed groups and aides to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, which his office said took place recently. During the interview, the insurgent told Asharq Al-Awsat that his groups were disappointed that posts in the new government were distributed according to religious and ethnic communities - even though Sunni Arabs got some key posts including parliament speaker. Other Sunnis are expected to be named to the new Cabinet which Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki, a Shia, must finalize this month. AP http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\05\03\story_3-5-2006_pg4_1
And btw hayes, as far as the "stream of negativity and doomsaying?" It doesn't make me haqppy to be that way. In fact, I'm not that way and you wouldn't ever be able to tell if you met me. I hate being negative! It's not good for the soul. I"m actually a very happy go lucky guy. And I'm very generious when it comes to buy rounds of drinks. but this war and administration is slowly eating me alive
Sorry liberals, but things in Iraq are looking up - in fact if you haven't seen the special report from Fox News--> "Zarqawi can't even fire a gun." Face the facts liberals we are winning in Iraq.
It doesn't deny the new government was in contact with the insurgent groups 'last weekend.' And that Khalizhad has been in contact is positive IMO, even though I understand US -insurgent talks aren't currently ongoing. That the two sides are willing to set up talks is a positive first step. I'll definitely put that to the test next time I'm in NY! Understood. I also wish this whole thing had turned out better, if that's any consolation. The administration is an embarrassment -- but don't blame me - I didn't vote for Bush.
You have a point. Yer on for drinks. Hell! If I can drink with basso, I can drink with hayes! And that last comment was a moment of weakness, thanks for not being flippant.
