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Iraq report 'is no magic formula' Iraq report 'is no magic formula'
(20 minutes later)
A report on US policy in Iraq says there is no "magic formula" to solve the crisis, the White House has said.A report on US policy in Iraq says there is no "magic formula" to solve the crisis, the White House has said.
US President George W Bush, who has received the Iraq Study Group (ISG) report, said it gave "a tough assessment" of the situation in Iraq. The Iraq Study Group (ISG) report, to be made public later, warns of the "consequences of continued decline", spokesman Tony Snow said.
The report, to be made public later, warns of the "consequences of continued decline", the White House said.
It stops short of a firm timetable for a US troop pullout and urges talks with Iran and Syria on their neighbour.It stops short of a firm timetable for a US troop pullout and urges talks with Iran and Syria on their neighbour.
Washington has so far refused to hold direct talks with Iran and Syria. President Bush, who has a copy, said it would be taken "very seriously" and pledged to "act in a timely fashion".
Mr Bush has said the report will be taken "very seriously" and has promised to "act in a timely fashion" on it.
"It is a report that brings some really very interesting proposals, and we will take every proposal seriously and we will act in a timely fashion," he said."It is a report that brings some really very interesting proposals, and we will take every proposal seriously and we will act in a timely fashion," he said.
Washington has so far refused to hold direct talks with Iran and Syria.
The report also calls for renewed US efforts to resolve the wider conflict in the Middle East, leaks suggest.The report also calls for renewed US efforts to resolve the wider conflict in the Middle East, leaks suggest.
'Humanitarian catastrophe''Humanitarian catastrophe'
White House spokesman Tony Snow said the 142-page report included 79 recommendations. The 142-page report included 79 recommendations, the White House spokesman said.
LEAKED RECOMMENDATIONS US must not make open-ended commitments to keeping large numbers of troops in IraqPrimary mission of US forces should evolve to one of supporting Iraqi armyAll combat troops could leave Iraq by the first quarter of 2008 Source: ABC News Excerpts: Leaked ISG report Q&A: Iraq Study GroupLEAKED RECOMMENDATIONS US must not make open-ended commitments to keeping large numbers of troops in IraqPrimary mission of US forces should evolve to one of supporting Iraqi armyAll combat troops could leave Iraq by the first quarter of 2008 Source: ABC News Excerpts: Leaked ISG report Q&A: Iraq Study Group
The ISG had been expected to recommend a gradual phased withdrawal of US troops over the next 18 months.The ISG had been expected to recommend a gradual phased withdrawal of US troops over the next 18 months.
He said there was "no timetable" and "no recommendation for immediate withdrawal. Mr Snow said there was "no timetable" and "no recommendation for immediate withdrawal".
"There is nothing in there about pulling back militarily," Mr Snow said. "There is nothing in there about pulling back militarily," he said.
However, the review recommended that the US "engage directly with Iran and Syria", and that Washington should "consider incentives and disincentives" for the two nations.However, the review recommended that the US "engage directly with Iran and Syria", and that Washington should "consider incentives and disincentives" for the two nations.
There was "talk of building a larger support group that would include all neighbours," during the hour-long meeting of ISG members, he said.There was "talk of building a larger support group that would include all neighbours," during the hour-long meeting of ISG members, he said.
Speaking ahead of the report, Syria has repeated its willingness to co-operate with the US.Speaking ahead of the report, Syria has repeated its willingness to co-operate with the US.
Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said it was in Syria's interest to help Iraq, and that his country had had interesting discussions with members of the ISG.Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said it was in Syria's interest to help Iraq, and that his country had had interesting discussions with members of the ISG.
HAVE YOUR SAY The damage has already been done and now ordinary Iraqis have to live with the mess Daniel, London Send us your comments HAVE YOUR SAY The damage has already been done and now ordinary Iraqis have to live with the mess Daniel, London Send us your comments href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6214390.stm" class="">Iran influence limited
The report raised "the consequences of continued decline" in Iraq, Mr Snow added.The report raised "the consequences of continued decline" in Iraq, Mr Snow added.
According to the Associated Press news agency, it warned that if the situation worsened there was a risk of a "slide toward chaos (that) could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe.According to the Associated Press news agency, it warned that if the situation worsened there was a risk of a "slide toward chaos (that) could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe.
"Neighbouring countries could intervene... The global standing of the United States could be diminished. Americans could become more polarised," commissioners said."Neighbouring countries could intervene... The global standing of the United States could be diminished. Americans could become more polarised," commissioners said.
Dozens interviewedDozens interviewed
The 10-member panel headed by former Secretary of State James Baker has been working since April to come up with recommendations.The 10-member panel headed by former Secretary of State James Baker has been working since April to come up with recommendations.
US readers discuss Iraq Iraq violence, in figuresUS readers discuss Iraq Iraq violence, in figures
The ISG has met or spoken to more than 170 individuals, including Iraq's leaders, President Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, ambassadors and other senior officials from among Iraq's neighbours and the US.The ISG has met or spoken to more than 170 individuals, including Iraq's leaders, President Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, ambassadors and other senior officials from among Iraq's neighbours and the US.
Hundreds of others have fed their suggestions to four working groups, which have written analytical papers for the panel's benefit.Hundreds of others have fed their suggestions to four working groups, which have written analytical papers for the panel's benefit.
Mr Blair arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a visit which will include meetings with President Bush and congressional leaders.Mr Blair arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a visit which will include meetings with President Bush and congressional leaders.