Iraqi government to meet rebels

[ECH1969]

Iraq's new government plans to hold its first official meeting as early as tomorrow with members of the Sunni resistance in an effort to end the brutal violence that has left hundreds of civilians dead across the country.

Representatives of Sunni insurgent forces from the restive western al-Anbar province plan to sit down with members of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's government tomorrow or Saturday, an Iraqi official said on the condition of anonymity.

Experts are not eager to predict whether the meeting will turn the insurgency around, but they believe the talks are an important step toward ending the violence.

"It's pretty important primarily because they have never accepted to talk before," said Patricia Karam of the United States Institute of Peace. "It is the first time the insurgents have shown an indication that they are willing to negotiate."

http://washingtontimes.com/world/20050608-115325-3244r.htm
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We will see tomorrow if the Moonie Times article is right.

[seriousstan]

1. I can only hope it helps.

[FloridaPat]

2. The US has gone to great lengths to make sure no one talks to

these people - like the Italian reporter. Should be interesting.

[Teaser]

3. Not happening.

There is no leader to talk to. You can't negotiate with a disparate and diffuse resistance. This is just window dressing.

[NNN0LHI]

6. US hand picked government talking to US hand picked insurgents

These idiots aren't fooling no one except Fox News viewers maybe.

Don

[Robeson]

7. Why not? This thing has been so staged to begin with....

...then whats to stop them from parading some fictional "insurgent" leaders in front of us. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they did exactly that.

[bemildred]

4. Sounds like horseshit to me.

I don't believe this at all:

"It is the first time the insurgents have shown an indication
that they are willing to negotiate."

I'm sure they would be willing to negotiate our withdrawal any time
we like.

[Robeson]

5. And consider the source, i.e. the Washington Times.