US ambassador held talks with Iraqi insurgents

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad held talks last year with presumed representatives of leading Iraqi insurgent groups in a bid to lure militant Iraqi Sunnis into the country's political process, The New York Times reported on its website Sunday.

"There were discussions with the representatives of various groups in the aftermath of the elections, and during the formation of the government before the Samarra incident, and some discussions afterwards as well," Khalilzad told The Times in an interview Friday.

The newspaper said he is the first US official to publicly acknowledge holding such talks.

The meetings began in early 2006 and were possibly the first attempts at sustained contact between senior US officials in Baghdad and the Sunni Arab insurgency, the report said.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070326/pl_afp/usiraqunrestdiplomacy_070326055145

[wtmusic]

1. Negotiating with the terrorists? I thought we didn't do that

Maybe it's only when we're getting our ass kicked.

[Javaman]

3. but but but...(rightwing spittle flies)

we are negotiating with them over there so we...um...don't...ah...have to here?

[wtmusic]

4. Perfect!

1 + 1 = 7! :crazy:

[babylonsister]

2. I know; perhaps tomorrow this will have an impact, or you'll make it happen!

:hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3181598&mesg_id=3181598