Report: U.S. in secret talks with Iraq insurgents

[Contrary1]

:hurts: We don't negotiate with terrorists...unless our approval ratings are in the toilet.

British newspaper says U.S. officials tried to open dialogue

LONDON - U.S. officials held secret talks in Iraq with the commanders of several Iraqi insurgent groups recently in an attempt to open a dialogue with them, a British newspaper reported Sunday.

The commanders “apparently came face to face” with four American officials during meetings on June 3 and June 13 at a summer villa near Balad, about 25 miles north of Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, according to The Sunday Times.

<snip>

Military officials in Baghdad did not immediately respond to a request by The Associated Press for comment on the Times article early Sunday morning.

The story, which quoted unidentified Iraqis whose groups were purportedly involved in the talks, said those at the first meeting included Ansar al-Sunnah Army, which has claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Iraq and an attack that killed 22 people in the dining hall of a U.S. base at Mosul last Christmas.

More...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8359553/

[bluestateguy]

1. If President John Kerry did this...

we would hear endless squawking from the PNACAEI crowd about "appeasement" and "cutting and running".

[still_one]

3. I don't believe the story

they may have met with some Sunis, but they have no idea what they are dealing with

this is more double speak from the MSM

[deadparrot]

2. That's awful.

If it's true, that is. I don't doubt much that comes out about this administration anymore, however.

Granted, some of the "insurgents" are simply Iraqi citizens trying to protect themselves in the only way they can with limited resources. On the other hand, some, I'm sure, are depraved warlords and thieves and criminal raised to positions of power in a time of chaos and loss.

But hey, we've done it before and we'll do it again.

[Career Prole]

4. Wonder what they're offering to the "insurgents" to hold off

until after the 2006 elections.

[iconoclastic cat]

5. Hmmm...I thought Bush didn't negotiate?

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Get ready for the spin on this .........

"They're not terrorists. They represent the people of parts of Iraq. They're a duly authorized group 'speaking' for their constituents ..... blah. blah, fucking blah .... "

You heard it here first ... Stinky the Clown's unerring guesswork ... and worth exactly what you paid for it.