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Bush pledges joint effort on Iraq Bush pledges joint effort on Iraq
(about 6 hours later)
US President George W Bush has said he will work with all parties to find "a new way forward" in Iraq, after meeting congressional leaders in Washington.US President George W Bush has said he will work with all parties to find "a new way forward" in Iraq, after meeting congressional leaders in Washington.
The discussions followed Wednesday's damning report on US strategy in Iraq. Mr Bush has said he takes its points seriously but will not follow them all. The discussions followed Wednesday's damning report on US strategy in Iraq. Mr Bush has said he takes it seriously.
Nancy Pelosi, incoming House Democratic leader, said Mr Bush had admitted some new tactics might be needed. Incoming House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Mr Bush had admitted some new tactics might be needed.
Meanwhile the head of the US-led forces in Iraq has said most of the troops could be withdrawn by early 2008.
However the commander, Lt Gen Peter Chiarelli, said such a pullout - recommended by the Iraq Study Group (ISG) report - would only be realistic if Iraq first took significant steps towards political reconciliation.
Mr Bush is due to meet senior advisers next week to discuss ideas on Iraq.Mr Bush is due to meet senior advisers next week to discuss ideas on Iraq.
Iraq's neighbours and key states in and outside the region should form a support group to reinforce security and national reconciliation within Iraq Excerpts from ISG report
He will consult US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad, top-ranking state department and military officials and outside experts on Iraq, the White House said.He will consult US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad, top-ranking state department and military officials and outside experts on Iraq, the White House said.
The president is expected to make a major speech before 25 December to set out his view on the way forward in Iraq. The main authors of the ISG review of US strategy have urged Mr Bush to follow all of their 79 recommendations.
The main authors of the Iraq Study Group review of US strategy have urged Mr Bush to follow all of their 79 recommendations.
'Work together'
Speaking after Friday's meeting, Mr Bush reaffirmed his intention to work with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to shape US policy on Iraq.Speaking after Friday's meeting, Mr Bush reaffirmed his intention to work with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to shape US policy on Iraq.
Iraq's neighbours and key states in and outside the region should form a support group to reinforce security and national reconciliation within Iraq Excerpts from ISG report
He said: "We talked about Iraq. We talked about the need for a new way forward in Iraq. And we talked about the need to work together on this important subject."He said: "We talked about Iraq. We talked about the need for a new way forward in Iraq. And we talked about the need to work together on this important subject."
'Work together'
Senator Richard Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, said no-one expected Mr Bush to take on all 79 recommendations of the ISG report.Senator Richard Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, said no-one expected Mr Bush to take on all 79 recommendations of the ISG report.
But, he said, it was important to follow its key themes. "We have got to start moving American troops, redeploying them out of Iraq and start bringing them home," he 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 hereKEY 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
But, he said, it was important to follow its key themes. "We have got to start moving American troops, redeploying them out of Iraq and start bringing them home," he said.
The ISG's assessment of US policy in Iraq was scathing, saying the situation there is "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out".The ISG's assessment of US policy in Iraq was scathing, saying the situation there is "deteriorating" and warning that "time is running out".
As well as talking to Tehran and Damascus, the ISG 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 ISG urged Mr Bush to consider shifting US efforts towards the support and training of the Iraqi armed forces.
Mr Bush has said that he will "seriously consider" the report.Mr Bush has said that he will "seriously consider" the report.
However, he appears already to have ruled out some proposals, like talking unconditionally to Syria and Iran.However, he appears already to have ruled out some proposals, like talking unconditionally to Syria and Iran.
He also appeared to rule out the the phasing out of the US combat role in Iraq. He also appeared to rule out the phasing out of the US combat role in Iraq.
'Choices to make''Choices to make'
After meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday, Mr Bush admitted the approach to Iraq and the Middle East needed to change. After meeting UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday, Mr Bush admitted the approach to Iraq and the Middle East needed to change.
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 reportHAVE 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
He accepted there was a need for "concerted efforts to advance the cause of peace in the Middle East".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.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."
Mr Blair mirrored the report's call for action on finding an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, saying he would visit the region for talks in the near future.
Senators sceptical
The report suggested that under certain circumstances, US combat troops could be withdrawn from Iraq by early 2008.The report suggested that under certain circumstances, US combat troops could be withdrawn from Iraq by early 2008.
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.
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.
And UN Secretary General Kofi Annan repeated his belief that both states should be involved in helping solve the crisis in Iraq.