Pentagon officials downplay seriousness of talks with insurgent sympathize

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3526355

Pentagon officials downplay seriousness of talks with insurgent sympathizers






PENTAGON Discussions -- not negotiations.

That's how the commander of U-S forces in Iraq is characterizing talks that have been taking place between the Iraqi government and Sunni and tribal leaders sympathetic to elements of the insurgency. The U-S has been facilitating these talks.

General George Casey says at this point, the talks do not involve active portions of the insurgency.

Casey says the first step is to engage Sunni leaders. That's yielded spotty results. He says "a lot of these folks claim to have leverage over the insurgents" -- but that influence hasn't been seen yet.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says there's precedent for this. Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has sought to bring elements of the Taliban into the fold, but Rumsfeld says those overtures have not included "those with blood on their hands."

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[MichiganVote]

1. Sure, just talking shit like suicide bombings over a beer

[liveoaktx]

2. Iraq insurgents deny contact with US

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1400931.htm

The Islamic Army in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al Qaeda Organisation in the Land of Two Rivers and Ansar al-Sunna have denied they have met US representatives over the violence in Iraq.

US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld has confirmed a British newspaper report that US officials had contacted insurgents in a bid to stem the violence plaguing Iraq but insisted such overtures were commonplace.

The Islamic Army in Iraq has vowed to punish any insurgents who did so, according to an Internet statement.

"The leadership of the Islamic Army in Iraq categorically denies that its representatives have negotiated with the crusaders either directly or indirectly," said the statement whose authenticity could not be verified.

[rodeodance]

4. what is the alternative?--besides killing them all--insurgents, foreigners

locals, iraqis, terrorists.

Yes, we can get out--but does anyone realy think we will admit defeat and leave?

[rocktivity]

3. Don't be surprised if these "discussions" break down

within 48 hours of Georgie's speech tonight.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Roland99]

5. Oh, now it's insurgent "sympathizers"?

The U.S. was trying to appease terrorists?

[endarkenment]

6. psyops disinformation bullshit eom

[mom cat]

7. Perhaps Rumsfeld forgot the blood on his hands!

These creeps are desperate to create any good news they can do for the 06 elections.

[rodeodance]

8. maybe they finallly realize that militarily we can not win--and are lookin

for solutuons.

[mom cat]

9. Looking for solutions before the 06 elections!