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Bush ponders Iraq study response Bush ponders Iraq study response
(20 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said he is considering the White House's response to a major report on US policy in Iraq which called for urgent change.US President George W Bush has said he is considering the White House's response to a major report on US policy in Iraq which called for urgent change.
The Iraq Study Group urged talks with Iran and Syria on tackling Iraq's unrest, a move Mr Bush has resisted.The Iraq Study Group urged talks with Iran and Syria on tackling Iraq's unrest, a move Mr Bush has resisted.
Syrian Information Minister Muhsain Bilal said Syria welcomed the report and had always been open to such talks.Syrian Information Minister Muhsain Bilal said Syria welcomed the report and had always been open to such talks.
The report is expected to be the focus of Washington talks between UK PM Tony Blair and Mr Bush later on Thursday. The report is expected to be the focus of talks between Mr Bush and Tony Blair, who is in Washington.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that the time needed to consider the report will mean a period of uncertainty that could stretch to weeks. The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the time needed to consider the report will mean a period of uncertainty that could stretch to weeks.
KEY SUGGESTIONS Primary mission of US forces should evolve to one of supporting Iraqi armyBy first quarter of 2008... all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq US must not make open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq Source: ISG report Iraq Study Group Report [1.72MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Excerpts from the report Iran influence limited Syria welcomes chanceKEY SUGGESTIONS Primary mission of US forces should evolve to one of supporting Iraqi armyBy first quarter of 2008... all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq US must not make open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq Source: ISG report Iraq Study Group Report [1.72MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Excerpts from the report Iran influence limited Syria welcomes chance
The report on the Bush administration's war policy was scathing, saying the situation in Iraq was "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out".The report on the Bush administration's war policy was scathing, saying the situation in Iraq was "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out".
Our correspondent says that, for an increasingly lonely Mr Bush, the presence of Mr Blair, a friendly face and an able advocate for the cause, will be very welcome.Our correspondent says that, for an increasingly lonely Mr Bush, the presence of Mr Blair, a friendly face and an able advocate for the cause, will be very welcome.
Along with recommendations on changes to policy in Iraq the report also called for action on finding an end to the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.Along with recommendations on changes to policy in Iraq the report also called for action on finding an end to the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
The BBC's political correspondent Nick Robinson, who is travelling with Mr Blair, says the UK leader is expected to announce on Thursday that he will be travelling to the Middle East shortly with that aim in mind.The BBC's political correspondent Nick Robinson, who is travelling with Mr Blair, says the UK leader is expected to announce on Thursday that he will be travelling to the Middle East shortly with that aim in mind.
The Iraq Study Group report says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis.The Iraq Study Group report says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis.
It was published on the day that Robert Gates was confirmed as the new US defence secretary. Mr Gates has acknowledged that the US is not winning the war in Iraq and stressed he is open to new policy ideas.It was published on the day that Robert Gates was confirmed as the new US defence secretary. Mr Gates has acknowledged that the US is not winning the war in Iraq and stressed he is open to new policy ideas.
HAVE YOUR SAY The damage has already been done and now ordinary Iraqis have to live with the mess Daniel, London Iraq hails suggestions Send us your comments In quotes: Reaction to reportHAVE YOUR SAY The damage has already been done and now ordinary Iraqis have to live with the mess Daniel, London Iraq hails suggestions Send us your comments In quotes: Reaction to report
The Iraqi government welcomed the review.The Iraqi government welcomed the review.
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said the proposals were in line with the government's view that security must be transferred to Iraqis.Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said the proposals were in line with the government's view that security must be transferred to Iraqis.
However, a spokesman for the main Sunni bloc in parliament said the report should have included a specific timetable for a US withdrawal.However, a spokesman for the main Sunni bloc in parliament said the report should have included a specific timetable for a US withdrawal.
'Humanitarian catastrophe''Humanitarian catastrophe'
Correspondents say the review offers no big surprises and no quick fixes.Correspondents say the review offers no big surprises and no quick fixes.
The 142-page report includes 79 recommendations, of which three are key:The 142-page report includes 79 recommendations, of which three are key:
    • A change in the primary mission of US forces in Iraq to enable it to begin to move combat forces out responsibly
    • A change in the primary mission of US forces in Iraq to enable it to begin to move combat forces out responsibly
    • Prompt action by the Iraqi government to achieve reconciliation
    • Prompt action by the Iraqi government to achieve reconciliation
    • New and enhanced diplomatic efforts in the region
    • New and enhanced diplomatic efforts in the region
      • The report offers no hard timetable for a pullout of US forces, but says combat troops could withdraw by early 2008.The report offers no hard timetable for a pullout of US forces, but says combat troops could withdraw by early 2008.
      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.
      The Syrian information minister said: "Syria has never stopped the dialogue, but we say to those who stopped the dialogue and now coming back to it: better late than never."The Syrian information minister said: "Syria has never stopped the dialogue, but we say to those who stopped the dialogue and now coming back to it: better late than never."
      The ISG report warns that if the situation worsens, there is a risk of a "slide toward chaos [that] could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe".The ISG report warns that if the situation worsens, there is a risk of a "slide toward chaos [that] could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe".