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Negotiating With The Enemy
Topic Started: Feb 21 2005, 11:01 AM (84 Views)
cruiser
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http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...1029805,00.html

What do the insurgents want? Top insurgent field commanders and negotiators informed TIME that the rebels have told diplomats and military officers that they support a secular democracy in Iraq but resent the prospect of a government run by exiles who fled to Iran and the West during Saddam's regime. The insurgents also seek a guaranteed timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal, a demand the U.S. refuses. But there are some hints of compromise: insurgent negotiators have told their U.S. counterparts they would accept a U.N. peacekeeping force as the U.S. troop presence recedes. Insurgent representative Abu Mohammed says the nationalists would even tolerate U.S. bases on Iraqi soil. "We don't mind if the invader becomes a guest," he says, suggesting a situation akin to the U.S. military presence in Germany and Japan.
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.

Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)
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MrsS
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Hessia/Germany
...and I thought your topic title was referring to Bush`s present
visit in Europe..... :floorrollin: :floorrollin:


Anneliese
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
By insurgents then you mean the Sunnis. They boycotted the election demanding a withdrawal timetable--but backed off in the end. They under Saddam were secular--one reason UBL despised him. A UN peacekeeping force is likely inevitable in time. Allowing bases is surprising. They are a proud people, extremely nationalistic. That is typical of the Middle East, one reason you don't see troops from other Middle Eastern states in Iraq.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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cruiser
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Even if it turns out well we could see our troops there for many years to come like Germany and Japan. We always wanted a major presence in the middle east for oil and Israel.
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.

Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Initial plans called for at least 10 years. Haven't seen anything happen that would change that.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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pentax
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Kamloops - BC Interior
cruiser
Feb 21 2005, 10:59 AM
Even if it turns out well we could see our troops there for many years to come like Germany and Japan. We always wanted a major presence in the middle east for  oil and Israel.

That's what I have expected from Day One, cruiser - I don't see any way around it, for at least a Generation, imo. The reported comment by Powell was right on the money; "You break it - you bought it."
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"Kirk to Enterprise - Very funny, Scotty.... now beam down my clothes!"
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cruiser
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I think if Chalabi is selected as PM it will piss off the Sunnis and we will be back to square one. They do not want our clone running the country. They are supposed to vote tomorrrow.
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.

Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)
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