Thursday, December 07, 2006

It's bad in Iraq

Simplistic but a realistic description from the President as quoted in several media sources including CNN. Now, for the solution since I think just about everyone does agree that "it's bad in Iraq", discusssion is starting to happen on including Iraq and Syria:

The Iraq Study Group report also called on the United States to hold talks on the war with Iraq's neighbors, including Syria and Iran, a nation which has not enjoyed diplomatic relations with Washington in the nearly three decades after the Iranian revolution.

"Having an international group is an interesting idea," Bush said.

"We have made it clear to the Iranians that there is a possible change in U.S. policy, a policy that's been in place for 27 years," said Bush. "And that is that, if they would like to engage the United States, that they've got to verifiably suspend their [nuclear] enrichment program."

As for Syria, Bush said Damascus should "stop destabilizing" Lebanon's government.

"If they want to sit down at the table with the United States, it's easy," Bush said. "Just make some decisions that'll lead to peace, not to conflict."


Making Iran's involvement in trying to help with Iraq hinge upon their nuclear enrichment program is not one I agree with. It basically creates a situation where Iran will never be a part of the process. Personally I think you should engage Iran in helping with Iraq then use the better diplomatic relationship that will result if it's truly being done to benefit the Middle East as a starting point on the nuclear issue.

3 comments:

Scott G said...

I think that is part of the plan and it is not really a surprise. Look at his idea of bipartisanship. You either do it my way, or you are weak and unpatriotic.

I like how the ISG chairs told Congress to put more pressure on President Bush to follow their suggestions and to stop being so weak. If Bush won't listen to the commission and especially people like Baker, he is not going to listen to Congress. And Congress's only real power is to pull funding which does not solve the problems in Iraq

Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny) said...

It seems kind of bold to tie any conditions to talking to nations that you are seeking help from.

Somebody needs a reality check.

Scott G said...

It is like we have a flat tire and will only let someone help us if they also bring us food and new rims