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Bush ponders Iraq study response Iraq to dominate Bush-Blair talks
(about 2 hours 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 is due to meet Tony Blair at the White House for talks expected to focus on the findings of a major review of US policy in Iraq.
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 (ISG) 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. Mr Blair intends to mirror the call for Iraq to be seen as part of a wider Middle East plan, correspondents say.
The report is expected to be the focus of talks between Mr Bush and Tony Blair, who is in Washington. Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said Syria welcomed the report and had always been open to talks.
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. He 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."
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 href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/06_12_06_iraq_study_group_report.pdf" class="">Iraq Study Group Report [1.72MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6212918.stm" class="">Excerpts from the report href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6214390.stm" class="">Iran influence limited href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6214962.stm" class="">Syria welcomes chance Middle East trip
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 ISG's assessment of 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. 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 href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/06_12_06_iraq_study_group_report.pdf" class="">Iraq Study Group Report [1.72MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6212918.stm" class="">Excerpts from the report href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6214390.stm" class="">Iran influence limited href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6214962.stm" class="">Syria welcomes chance It says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis.
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. While it offers no hard timetable for a pullout of US forces, the review does say combat troops could withdraw by early 2008.
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 Justin Webb in Washington 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.
The Iraq Study Group report says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis. But, our correspondent adds, the time needed for the White House to consider the report fully will mean a period of uncertainty that could stretch to weeks.
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. 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.
HAVE YOUR SAY The damage has already been done and now ordinary Iraqis have to live with the mess Daniel, London href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6215446.stm" class="">Iraq hails suggestions href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4895&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/world/americas/6215100.stm" class="">In quotes: Reaction to report The BBC's political correspondent Nick Robinson, who is travelling with Mr Blair, says the UK leader is expected to announce that he will be travelling to the Middle East shortly with that aim in mind.
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 report The ISG report 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 has stressed he is open to new policy ideas.
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 review also 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. It warned 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 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".