Maliki urges players to stay out of Iraq conflict

[maddezmom]

Maliki urges players to stay out of Iraq conflict
10 Mar 2007 11:11:12 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD, March 10 (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki urged key players at a regional conference on Saturday to adopt a firm stand against terrorism in Iraq and stop playing out their differences in his country.

~snip~

Besides finding ways to stop the bloodshed, the one-day meeting is also seen as a rare opportunity for bringing together old enemies Iran and the United States at the same table.

"We call on all to take moral responsibility by adopting a strong and clear stance against terrorism in Iraq and cooperate in stamping out forces of terror," Maliki said, according to the text of his speech to the opening session of the conference, attended by deputy foreign ministers and other such officials from Iran, Syria and the United States.

~snip~

"We ... demand that regional or international states refrain from interfering or influencing the Iraqi state of affairs through supporting a certain sect, ethnicity or party," he said.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09546924.htm

Two blasts near Baghdad conference venue
10 Mar 2007 10:34:52 GMT
BAGHDAD, March 10 (Reuters) - Two blasts that sounded like mortars rocked the building where delegates from regional and world powers were meeting in Baghdad to discuss stabilising Iraq, Reuters witnesses said.

The blasts appeared to be mortars which landed in an area between the Rasheed Hotel, inside the Green Zone, and the Foreign Ministry, where the conference is being held, one of the witnesses said.

There was no immediate word on casualties. Mortars frequently land in the Green Zone, usually without causing casualties.

link: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PAR033973.htm

[rodeodance]

1. The US has already taken sides by proping up the Maliki gov.

[Eugene]

2. Reuters: U.S. tells Iraq's neighbours to do more to help

U.S. tells Iraq's neighbours to do more to help
10 Mar 2007 14:04:32 GMT
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, March 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad urged
Iraq's neighbours to do more to stop the flow of fighters, weapons and
sectarian propaganda contributing to violence in the country.

"Iraq's near neighbours and other friends can certainly do more to help
in this transition toward stability and prosperity for Iraq," Khalilzad said
in a speech to the conference, a copy of which was released to media.

-snip-

Iraq called Saturday's meeting to enlist support to end violence four years
after the U.S. invasion. It was also a rare opportunity for officials from
Washington and Tehran to meet at a time of growing tension over Iran's
nuclear ambitions.

Iranian delegates demanded the release of several Iranians captured by
U.S. forces in Iraq, a source at the talks said.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10617033.htm

[Canuckistanian]

3. Um, a bit too late for that now

Ever since the US touched off the civil war, outside countries have been supporting various factions.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and even Turkey now consider it fair game to either send in fighters or finance and arm various groups.

This is what happens when you try to solve problems militarily with NO political options being discussed.