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. |