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Iraq to dominate Bush-Blair talks Iraq to dominate Bush-Blair talks
(about 3 hours later)
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.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 (ISG) 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.
Mr Blair intends to mirror the call for Iraq to be seen as part of a wider Middle East plan, correspondents say.Mr Blair intends to mirror the call for Iraq to be seen as part of a wider Middle East plan, correspondents say.
Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said Syria welcomed the report and had always been open to talks.Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said Syria welcomed the report and had always been open to talks.
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." He said: "Syria has never stopped the dialogue, but we say to those who stopped the dialogue and are now coming back to it: better late than never."
Middle East tripMiddle East trip
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". The ISG's assessment of the Bush administration's policy in Iraq is scathing, saying the situation there is "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out".
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the reader here Excerpts from the report Iran influence limited Syria welcomes chance It says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis.KEY SUGGESTIONS Primary mission of US forces should evolve to one of supporting Iraqi armyBy first quarter of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 chance It says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis.
While it offers no hard timetable for a pullout of US forces, the review does say combat troops could withdraw by early 2008.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 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 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.
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.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.
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.
Analysts say Mr Bush will want to refer to his own policy review, being carried out by the National Security Council, and another being conducted by the Pentagon before announcing major policy changes.Analysts say Mr Bush will want to refer to his own policy review, being carried out by the National Security Council, and another being conducted by the Pentagon before announcing major policy changes.
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 Iraq hails suggestions In quotes: Reaction to report Along with recommendations on changes to policy in Iraq, the report also calls 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 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 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 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 ISG report was published on the day that Robert Gates was confirmed as the new US defence secretary. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected the ISG's assessment that progress in Iraq is linked to resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians - although he said he was interested in re-starting peace talks.
Mr Gates has acknowledged that the US is not winning the war in Iraq and has stressed he is open to new policy ideas. But he ruled out opening peace talks with Syria in the near future, as recommended in the report.
The Iraqi government welcomed the review. No quick fixes
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said the proposals were in line with the government's view that security must be transferred to Iraqis. The ISG report was published on the day that Robert Gates was confirmed as the new US defence secretary. He has acknowledged the US is not winning the war in Iraq and has stressed he is open to new ideas.
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'
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 review also recommended that the US "engage directly with Iran and Syria", and that Washington should "consider incentives and disincentives" for the two nations. The Iraqi government welcomed the review.
      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". 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.