This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6220022.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bush says Iraq policy will change Bush 'must adopt all Iraq plan'
(about 3 hours later)
The US and UK must adopt a new approach to Iraq, US President George Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair have said. The main authors of the report that aims to change US strategy in Iraq have urged President George Bush to follow all of their recommendations.
But Mr Bush has given a cool welcome to key parts of a bipartisan report into US policy in Iraq, ruling out early talks with Iran and Syria. Former Secretary of State James Baker said the 79 points they put forward were not a "fruit salad" to be picked over, but a comprehensive strategy.
The leaders met at the White House 24 hours after the Iraq Study Group made 79 recommendations for change in Iraq. Mr Bush has said that he would "seriously consider" the report.
Mr Bush said that he would "seriously consider" the report, but refused to accept all its suggestions. However, he appears already to have ruled out some proposals, like talking unconditionally to Syria and Iran.
Standing alongside Mr Blair, the president accepted the need for "concerted efforts to advance the cause of peace in the Middle East". The Iraq Study Group's assessment of US policy in Iraq is scathing, saying the situation there is "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out".
Iraq's neighbours and key states in and outside the region should form a support group to reinforce security and national reconciliation within Iraq href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6212918.stm" class="">Excerpts from ISG report The ISG's assessment of US policy in Iraq is scathing, saying the situation there is "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out". After meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday, Mr Bush admitted the approach to Iraq and the Middle East needed to change.
However, Mr Bush appeared reluctant to accept the proposal by the report's authors that his administration should talk directly to Iran and Syria. Iraq's neighbours and key states in and outside the region should form a support group to reinforce security and national reconciliation within Iraq href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6212918.stm" class="">Excerpts from ISG report
He accepted there was a need for "concerted efforts to advance the cause of peace in the Middle East".
But he sounded reluctant to open talks with Syria and Iran.
"The truth of the matter is that these countries have now got the choice to make," Mr Bush said."The truth of the matter is that these countries have now got the choice to make," Mr Bush said.
"If they want to sit down at the table with the United States, it's easy: just make some decisions that will lead to peace, not to conflict.""If they want to sit down at the table with the United States, it's easy: just make some decisions that will lead to peace, not to conflict."
Senators scepticalSenators sceptical
As well as talking to Tehran and Damascus, the Iraq Study Group (ISG) report urged Mr Bush to consider shifting US efforts towards the support and training of the Iraqi armed forces.As well as talking to Tehran and Damascus, the Iraq Study Group (ISG) report urged Mr Bush to consider shifting US efforts towards the support and training of the Iraqi armed forces.
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 Israel rejects ISG ideas Under certain circumstances, US combat troops could be withdrawn from Iraq by early 2008, the report said.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 Israel rejects ISG ideas Under certain circumstances, US combat troops could be withdrawn from Iraq by early 2008, the report said.
But that suggestion was sharply criticised by senior Republican Senator John McCain, one of several sceptical members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.But that suggestion was sharply criticised by senior Republican Senator John McCain, one of several sceptical members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"I believe this is a recipe that will lead to our defeat sooner or later in Iraq," he said."I believe this is a recipe that will lead to our defeat sooner or later in Iraq," he said.
"There's only one thing worse than an over-stressed army and marine corps, and that's a defeated army and marine corps.""There's only one thing worse than an over-stressed army and marine corps, and that's a defeated army and marine corps."
Former Democratic President Bill Clinton, speaking on TV in the Netherlands, said a "regional solution" to the Iraq problem should involve Iran and Syria.Former Democratic President Bill Clinton, speaking on TV in the Netherlands, said a "regional solution" to the Iraq problem should involve Iran and Syria.
Iran, a likely destination for millions of Iraqi refugees in the event of civil collapse there, has a strong interest in stabilising the country, Mr Clinton said.Iran, a likely destination for millions of Iraqi refugees in the event of civil collapse there, has a strong interest in stabilising the country, Mr Clinton said.
And UN Secretary General Kofi Annan repeated his belief that both states should be involved in helping solve the crisis in Iraq.And UN Secretary General Kofi Annan repeated his belief that both states should be involved in helping solve the crisis in Iraq.
'Strong Congress needed''Strong Congress needed'
At the White House, Mr Blair welcomed the report, and mirrored its call for action on finding an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.At the White House, 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 conditions in Iraq were "tough and challenging", and said he would return to the region for talks in the near future.He conceded conditions in Iraq were "tough and challenging", and said he would return to the region for talks in the near future.
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 But he said the people of the Middle East faced a choice - either secular or religious dictatorship, or "they can enjoy the same possibilities of democracy that we hold dear".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 But he said the people of the Middle East faced a choice - either secular or religious dictatorship, or "they can enjoy the same possibilities of democracy that we hold dear".
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Jonathan Marcus, says the comments by both leaders gave little sign of a plan to shift their ground - with both sticking to their overall goals for Iraq and the Middle East.The BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Jonathan Marcus, says the comments by both leaders gave little sign of a plan to shift their ground - with both sticking to their overall goals for Iraq and the Middle East.
But testifying before a Congressional committee on Thursday, the two authors of the ISG report insisted that the report needed to be fully accepted by the White House to be of any use.But testifying before a Congressional committee on Thursday, the two authors of the ISG report insisted that the report needed to be fully accepted by the White House to be of any use.
Congress should strongly endorse the ISG report in order to put pressure on the White House to implement its recommendations, ex-congressman Lee Hamilton told the Senate Armed Services Committee.Congress should strongly endorse the ISG report in order to put pressure on the White House to implement its recommendations, ex-congressman Lee Hamilton told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Former Secretary of State James Baker said he saw a value in inviting Iran to regional talks, even if Tehran refused the invitation, an outcome he saw as likely. Mr Baker said he saw a value in inviting Iran to regional talks, even if Tehran refused the invitation, an outcome he saw as likely.
"What do we lose by saying, 'we're getting all of Iraq's neighbours together, we want you to come, and if they say no, we show the world what they're all about?'""What do we lose by saying, 'we're getting all of Iraq's neighbours together, we want you to come, and if they say no, we show the world what they're all about?'"