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Iraq dominates Bush-Blair talks Iraq dominates Bush-Blair talks
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said a major review of US policy in Iraq is worthy of "serious study", after talks with Tony Blair at the White House.US President George W Bush has said a major review of US policy in Iraq is worthy of "serious study", after talks with Tony Blair at the White House.
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.
For his part, Mr Blair said the report offered a "strong way forward" for the US and Britain. The two leaders agreed that a new way forward was needed.
He echoed the report's call for action on finding an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. For his part, Mr Blair welcomed the report and mirrored its call for action on finding an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
He conceded that conditions in Iraq were "tough and challenging".
But he said the people of the Middle East faced a choice - either secular or religious dictatorship, or, alternatively, to enjoy the democracy that the west held so dear.
On proposals to involve Iran and Syria in talks on Iraq, the two leaders said both countries would first have to be clear that they favoured a democratically elected government in Iraq and ended their support for terrorism.
Middle East tripMiddle East trip
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".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Adobe Reader Download the reader here Excerpts from the report Israel rejects ISG ideas It says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to train Iraqis.KEY SUGGESTIONS Primary mission of US forces should evolve to one of supporting Iraqi armyBy first quarter of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 Israel rejects ISG ideas 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.
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.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.
Mr Bush said the UK leader would be travelling to the Middle East shortly with that aim in mind.Mr Bush said the UK leader would be travelling to the Middle East shortly with that aim in mind.
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.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.
But he ruled out opening peace talks with Syria in the near future, as recommended in the report.But he ruled out opening peace talks with Syria in the near future, as recommended in the report.
No quick fixesNo quick fixes
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.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.
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 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.