Warm welcome in Washington, cold shoulder elsewhere

[spindrifter]

The Times December 08, 2006

Tim Reid, Ned Parker and Stephen Farrell

The recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group were broadly welcomed by most Republicans and Democrats in Washington yesterday, but received a far cooler reception in Iraq, Iran, Israel and from the US military.

The report, which calls for the withdrawal of all US combat troops from Iraq by early 2008, negotiations with Iran and Syria, and a renewed Middle East peace initiative, was a rare triumph of political compromise in Washington.

But for those directly affected by the Iraq war and the wider regional instability — the Iraqis themselves, Israel and the US troops on the ground — the report was widely seen as unrealistic and provocative. In Baghdad, it was branded by some influential Sunnis as designed to solve American, rather than Iraqi, problems.

The commission, headed by James Baker, delivered to President Bush on Wednesday 79 recommendations it believes gives Iraq a chance of stability. The report described the situation in Iraq as grave and cautioned that the country is on the verge of sliding into chaos.

<more>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2493021,00.html

[badgerpup]

1. I know this is probably a very stupid question...

...but has anyone thought of asking the Iraqis what they want?
Besides us out, I mean...:banghead:

Here's the ISG, all solemn and important, giving their opinions and advice...while the people and the country MOST involved (hint: what is the title of the study group?) don't seem to have been consulted as to what THEIR needs, wishes, opinions and desires might be.
Even if it's "Just get the fuck OUTTAHERE and let us settle this between ourselves, OK?"

Ooops. Silly me. I'm forgetting about all the oil that's still there, aren't I.
Gee...if we'd actually had FUNDING for the development of alternative energy sources, we might not be so 'addicted' to foreign oil. And addicts tend to get pretty cranky if they can't get their fix... :sarcasm:
:grr: :nuke:

[EFerrari]

2. Oh, please. Like this group of elite @ss kissing @ssholes care

what anyone thinks.

Are you eating this with a spoon, multitude? :sarcasm: