Petraeus says U.S. will have to negotiate with
Iraqi militants
By Kenneth R. Bazinet
New York Daily News
03/09/07 "KRT
Wire" -- -- WASHINGTON - The general leading the
troop surge in Iraq admitted Thursday the new offensive won't
defeat the insurgents and said the U.S. will have to negotiate
with militants.
The comments by Gen. David Petraeus came on the eve of a rare
security summit in which the U.S. will sit down with Syria and
Iran.
The White House, however, made clear Thursday it won't
necessarily be a friendly chat with the Iranians: U.S.
negotiators plan to warn Iran to stop funding, supplying and
training Iraqi militants.
"It is time for them to knock this off and play a constructive
role," national security adviser Steve Hadley said en route to
Latin America with President Bush.
"This is not about engaging Iran and Syria. It is about getting
the countries of the region and the broader international
community to support Iraq," he said.
Petraeus, meanwhile, held his first press conference since
taking command as delegates prepared for the gathering in
Baghdad to try to find a way to halt violence between Sunnis and
Shiites.
"Military action is necessary to help improve security . . . but
it is not sufficient," Petraeus said.
The general said political talks must eventually include some
militant groups now opposing the U.S.-backed government.
"That is what will determine in the long run the success of this
effort," Petraeus said.
Top diplomats, meanwhile, hope the presence of Iranian and
Syrian delegates at the security summit will create a de facto
truce in the world's most dangerous capital. A massive troop
presence is routine in Baghdad, but that has been unable to halt
the daily suicide bombers, car bombs and snipers that have
turned much of Baghdad into a no man's land.
"It will be the safest place in Baghdad, we have no doubt," said
a European diplomat, who hoped for an unofficial ceasefire while
talks are under way.
Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, the
five permanent Security Council members - U.S., Britain, China,
France and Russia - the Arab League and the Organization of the
Islamic Conference have been invited.
The envoys are expected to meet in the heavily fortified Green
Zone, where the Iraqi government and U.S. leaders are
headquartered. But a U.S. counterterrorism official said there's
no way to be 100 percent safe even in that secure area.
"As any New Yorker knows, you're not safe anywhere, but you
still have to go to the meeting," the official said.
---
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