source - http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=18666First Published 2006-12-07, Last Updated 2006-12-07 17:34:44
Bad it is
Bush: It's bad in Iraq
Blair to launch a Middle East mission to show ‘even-handed’ US and British approach towards Israel and the Palestinians.
WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush, under pressure from a stinging report that called the situation in Iraq "grave and deteriorating," declared Thursday that he believes "it's bad in Iraq."
Bush's comment came after talks at the White House with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, when a reporter questioned his description of the situation in the war-torn country as "unsettling."
"It's bad in Iraq," the US leader replied.
Bush acknowledged that a "new approach" was needed in the country. He described the Iraq Study Group recommendations as "worthy of serious study," but again refused to make any specific commitment.
He said he would await the result of reviews by the Defense Department, State Department and National Security Council before making any decisions.
"I told the prime minister I thought this was a very constructive report," said Bush.
Iraq withdrawal
Bush argued most US combat troops would only be able to leave Iraq by early 2008, as suggested by a high-level US commission, if conditions permit.
Bush stated that such a pullback of troops could take place "if conditions so allow."
"We want our combat troops out as quickly as possible. We want the Iraqis taking the fight," Bush said.
"We have to be flexible and realistic as we design programs," he said, adding that it was up to commanders in Iraq to decide on troop levels.
"As the report said, I don't have the exact words, but it was along the lines of depending upon conditions, I believe is what the qualifier was. I thought that made sense."
Bush's recollection differed slightly with the wording of the report, by the bipartisan commission led by former secretary of state James Baker.
"By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq," the report said.
Middle East conflict
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he will soon launch a Middle East mission to show an "even-handed" US and British approach towards Israel and the Palestinians and the wider region.
President George W. Bush and Blair unveiled the trip after talks here, a day after a high-level US commission called for an aggressive bid to forge Israeli-Palestinian peace linked to efforts to stabilize Iraq.
"Prime Minister Blair informed me that he will be heading to the Middle East soon, to talk to both the Israelis and the Palestinians," Bush said at a press conference with the British leader.
"I support the mission, because it's important for us to advance the cause of two states living side by side in peace and helping both parties eliminate the obstacles that prevent an agreement from being reached," Bush said.
"Your strong leadership on this issue matters a lot," Bush told Blair.
Blair said that it was important that "we do everything we can in the wider Middle East to bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
"This is something that I know you feel deeply and passionately about," Blair told Bush. "You are the first president who committed yourself to the two-state solution."
"I believe that by moving this forward, we send a very strong signal, not just to the region but to the whole of the world that we are even-handed and just in the application of our values."
Blair said he and Bush wanted to show they favored an "Israel confident of its security and a Palestinian people able to live in peace and justice and democracy.
Involving Iran, Syria
President Bush said that Iran and Syria must stop helping extremists and commit to help Iraq's fledgling government before any talks with the two.
One of the key recommendations of the Iraq Study Group report was to launch a diplomatic initiative, including talks with Iran and Syria -- two arch-foes of the United States.
"If people come to the table to discuss Iraq, they need to come understanding their responsibilities to not fund terrorists, to help this young democracy survive, to help with the economics of the country," he said of Iran and Syria's alleged involvement in Iraq's troubles.
"And if people are not committed, if Syria and Iran is not committed to that concept then they shouldn't bother to show up," said Bush, who also ruled out direct talks with Iran unless it verifiably freezes sensitive nuclear work.
Now we are talking!!! With Blair and Bush working together we might find some realistic resolution.
At home, the aged old senetor foggies, thrilled at being found useful by BUSH haters, tried so hard to blame it all on Bush, and were unsuccessful with little in the report to realistically approach the situation.
l saw those two aged nit-wits being asked hard questions by my favorite ANDERSON COOPER [sigh...all l want for christmas...}
and they just sat there like a bunch of squirming old men in dirty diapers...they wanted SOOO BADLY to try to make this attack by nasty baby killing terrorists to be BLAMED on Bush...
and yet they HAD TO ADMIT that the truth was that the Hezzbollah, Hamas, and the other terrorist baby killing JIHAD's where a threat to our world as we know it...
So good for Bushie working with the U.K. to get a plan for snipping off the smelly balls of those Fanatic Peophiliatic Islamic Jihad terrorists!!!!!{Jihad's Who are also women haters and child abusers...just in case you didn't get that little tid-bit from my other posts!}
the purpose of this meeting, to try to achieve what was impossible...is it possible for the middle-east to sort itself out, now that the terrorist regimes have been booted and rooted out, and a new restructuring is in place?
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