Iraq panel demands urgent change

2006-12-14

Richard Moore

Original source URL:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215290.stm

Iraq panel demands urgent change

A major report on US policy in Iraq has called for a new approach and urgent 
action to stop "a slide towards chaos".

The current US strategy of staying the course was no longer viable, Iraq Study 
Group leader James Baker said.

The report says US troops should be withdrawn from combat and instead used to 
train Iraqis.

It urges talks with Iran and Syria, a move which the US has so far rejected. 
President George W Bush said the report would be taken "very seriously".

The ISG report also advocates renewed US efforts to resolve the wider conflict 
in the Middle East.

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.

However, a spokesman for the main Sunni bloc in parliament said the report 
should have included a specific timetable for an American withdrawal.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, meanwhile, arrived in Washington on Wednesday for 
a visit which will include meetings with Mr Bush and congressional leaders - 
with Iraq expected to top the agenda.

The review came as the US military said 10 American soldiers had been killed in 
four incidents in Iraq.

'Humanitarian catastrophe'

Correspondents say the review offers no big surprises and no quick fixes.

The 142-page report includes 79 recommendations, of which three are key:


        KEY SUGGESTIONS
        Primary mission of US forces should evolve to one of
        supporting Iraqi army

        By 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

€ 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
  € New and enhanced diplomatic efforts in the region

The report offers no hard timetable for a pullout of US forces, but says that 
combat troops could withdraw by early 2008.

However, the review recommended that the US "engage directly with Iran and 
Syria", and that Washington should "consider incentives and disincentives" for 
the two nations.

Speaking ahead of the report, Syria repeated its willingness to co-operate with 
the US, and said it was in Syria's interest to help Iraq.

But correspondents say the president appears unlikely to heed the call for more 
engagement with Syria and Iran, amid efforts by the administration to isolate 
both states.

Iraqi reaction

The ISG report warns 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".

"Neighbouring countries could intervene... The global standing of the United 
States could be diminished. Americans could become more polarised," it warns.

Mr Baker said a new way forward should be implemented as quickly as possible.

"[Iraqis] have been liberated from the nightmare of tyrannical order only to 
face the nightmare of brutal violence.

"As a matter of humanitarian concern, as a matter of humanitarian interest and 
as a matter of practical necessity it is time to find a new approach."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6215290.stm

Published: 2006/12/07 00:14:32 GMT

© BBC MMVI
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