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| Iraq |
| Iraq victory linked to defeat of ME extremists: Bush |
| 2006-12-08 |
| President George W Bush, standing alongside chief Iraq war ally Tony Blair of Britain, asserted Thursday that success in Iraq depends on victory over extremists across the “broader Middle East.” “It’s a tough time and its a difficult moment for America and Great Britain and the task before us is daunting,” Bush said a day after a bipartisan commission said his war policies have failed and called for a change in strategy. The British prime minister, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with Bush since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, said he welcomed the conclusions of the Iraq Study Group despite its criticism of past policies. It “offers a strong way forward,” Blair said. “I think it is important now we concentrate on the elements that are necessary to make sure that we succeed — because the consequences of failure are severe.” Bush appeared to endorse the panel’s conclusion that any resolution of the Iraq conflict is tied to reducing tensions between Israel and the Palestinians and across the broader Middle East - a position Blair has long held. Bush said that he would only welcome Iran and Syria to group talks on Iraq if they agree to end support for extremists and to help Baghdad’s fledgling government. “And if people are not committed, if Syria and Iran (are) not committed to that concept, then they shouldn’t bother to show up,” Bush said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #6 The point I'm trying to make is this...Bush has been COMPLETELY open and honest with ALL of his plans for the WoT thusfar, and the MSM has tried to kill him with death by a thousand cuts. Maybe, just maybe, Bush is now switching gears. "Bluffing" if you will. NOT outlining his plans in plain English like he has before, but keeping his cards closer to his chest (and yet, actually IMPLEMENTING those plans all the same). He knows the LLL and the MSM are stacked against him, so why not start talking more "diplo-speak", but continue on in the same course we've been taking behind the scenes? |
| Posted by: BA 2006-12-08 09:54 |
| #5 I'm taking the word "appeared" literally there, grom. Watch what the hand does, not what the mouth says. For example, notice the kinder language the media uses on the Iran/Syria situation (he would only welcome....), but read Bush's quote, "...then they shouldn't bother to show up." Good quote from Bush being shaded by the kindler/gentler colored glasses of the MSM. |
| Posted by: BA 2006-12-08 09:51 |
| #4 Middle East problems are based on Muslim-Kafir tenstions, and not Israeli-Paleo. Baker is strategically myopic. |
| Posted by: Sneaze Shaiting3550 2006-12-08 09:29 |
| #3 "Bush said that he would only welcome Iran and Syria to group talks on Iraq if they agree to end support for extremists and to help BaghdadÂ’s fledgling government." -Political speak for "people in hell should have ice water to." |
| Posted by: Broadhead6 2006-12-08 08:16 |
| #2 grom, no need to be an asshole. We're pissed too. |
| Posted by: exJAG 2006-12-08 03:30 |
| #1 Bush appeared to endorse the panelÂ’s conclusion that any resolution of the Iraq conflict is tied to reducing tensions between Israel and the Palestinians I'm not worried because I've complete confidence in our US friends. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2006-12-08 00:18 |