"terrorists are irreconcilable"; insurgents are "reconcilable". Huh??

[dajoki]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17794538/

U.S. talking to insurgents over battling al-Qaida
Outgoing ambassador is cautiously optimistic that Iraq situation improving

Updated: 9:52 a.m. ET March 26, 2007

BAGHDAD , Iraq - American and Iraqi officials are seeking to persuade so-called “reconcilable insurgents” to join forces against al-Qaida as the terror network steps up attacks on both Islamic sects in Iraq, the departing U.S. ambassador said Monday.

Zalmay Khalilzad said U.S. Embassy and military personnel as well as Iraqi government officials had met several times with representatives of insurgent groups that had opposed the U.S.-backed political process but he ruled out any contacts with al-Qaida in Iraq, which has been blamed in many of the high-profile suicide bombings that have killed hundreds.

<<snip>>

“Iraqis are uniting against al-Qaida,” he said. “Coalition commanders have been able to engage some insurgents to explore ways to collaborate in fighting the terrorists. These insurgents are also in touch with the government seeking reconciliation and cooperation in the fight against the al-Qaida terrorists and joining the government in a reconciliation program.”

<<snip>>

'The terrorists are irreconcilable'
“We have talked to groups who have not participated in the political process who have ties with some of the insurgent groups who are reconcilable insurgents,” he said. “The terrorists are irreconcilable. There cannot be reconciliation with al-Qaida. They have to be brought to justice, but there are groups that resisted the democratic change, the change in Iraq.

“It is our goal to get those groups to be reconciled, to accept, to embrace this new Iraq and that will be a victory, a success for the change that has taken place,” he added.

[karynnj]

1. This is actually one of the things people are basing

even the small hopes that remain on. The idea is that the insurgents and Iraqis. If given a stake in the country going forward they will choose that rather than continuing violence. This was likely more posible before early 2006 when civil war broke out. Many Democrats held out hope for this between 2003-2005.

The "terrorists" are defined as mostly foreign fighters who are there for the sake of fighting. The idea is that the Sunni population would oust them if the Sunni population was involved with the new government.

[dajoki]

2. Its just difficult...

to keep up with the spin this administration keeps putting on its war. I hope they are looking for a way out, it sounds that way. If they have to save face somehow, let them, its long past time to leave.