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Insurgents seek dialogue with U.S., role in new Iraq
Chicago Tribune ^ | Dec 13 2005 | LIZ SLY

Posted on 12/13/2005 11:06:11 AM PST by jmc1969

Homegrown Iraqi insurgent groups are reaching out to the United States in the hope of launching a dialogue that would draw them into the political process and end their 2 1/2-year rebellion, according to U.S. officials and Iraqis close to the insurgency.

Spurred by fears of the growing influence of Iran and encouraged by signals from Washington that the United States will start drawing down troops next year, insurgents who see themselves as fighting for an Iraqi nationalist cause are looking for ways to distance themselves from the religious radicals who have dominated the insurgency, with a view to establishing a foothold in Iraq's political landscape.

"There is a difference between terrorists and the national Iraqi resistance," he said. "Zarqawi's group does nothing but suicide attacks and killing Iraqis. That's not resistance."

Now, 2 1/2 years after the invasion, Iraqi nationalist elements of the insurgency are realizing that simply ejecting American forces will not be enough to secure their interests in a new Iraq that is evolving into a nation with a very different identity to the one they had been fighting to bring back.

According to a former Iraqi corps commander who says he has influence over the insurgency, at one meeting of insurgent groups last summer, several Iraqi insurgent leaders suggested that "Iran is a bigger enemy of Iraq than America," and proposed that the insurgency refocus its priorities toward battling Iran.

"But they were overruled by Zarqawi," said the commander, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The Iraqis, the national resistance, now have no say."

Al-Zarqawi's influence has steadily been diminished in recent months, by a combination of repeated U.S. military offensives against his strongholds in the western province of Anbar and by the beginnings of a rift between the homegrown Iraqi insurgency and the al-Qaida.

(Excerpt) Read more at macon.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: iraq; olivebranch
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To: jmc1969
"But they were overruled by Zarqawi," said the commander, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The Iraqis, the national resistance, now have no say."

If they can't stand up to a JORDANIAN and his band of thugs, what chance do they have of being a part of their nation's future? One of these clowns had better sack up and deliver Zarqawi. Maybe then, we can have a meaningful dialogue.

21 posted on 12/13/2005 11:18:26 AM PST by edpc
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To: adamsjas

they understand and realize that the Iraqis will use REAL freakin torture on them..they're not scared of US torture, not as long as we have liberal idiots screamin against it..


22 posted on 12/13/2005 11:19:36 AM PST by GeorgiaDawg32 (Islam is a religion of peace and they'll behead 13 year old girls to prove it...)
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To: edpc

somehow, I think that condition has been mentioned..


23 posted on 12/13/2005 11:20:19 AM PST by GeorgiaDawg32 (Islam is a religion of peace and they'll behead 13 year old girls to prove it...)
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To: jmc1969

How about this?

If you are against the terrorist and want some say in the political country, put down the weapons and form a party. Sure, they will be one of 70 (I think), but if they can create support from constituents in the country, they can have some political power for the new republic.

Otherwise, let's meet at a quaint little nuetral spot in Cuba to discuss it. I hear GITMO has accomodating facilities this time of year.


24 posted on 12/13/2005 11:21:35 AM PST by Tenacious 1 (Dems: "It can't be done" Reps. "Move, we'll find a way or make a way. It has to be done!")
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To: jmc1969

They want to run a new Iraqi Department of Torture, Maiming, and Executions?


25 posted on 12/13/2005 11:24:54 AM PST by GretchenM (Hooked on porn and hating it? Visit http://www.theophostic.com .)
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To: mainepatsfan

The insurgents have to be "de-Baathized" first. Something similar to the "de-Nazification" of Germany after WWII.


26 posted on 12/13/2005 11:28:35 AM PST by popdonnelly
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To: shield

What was he being investigated for? campaign cash abuse?


27 posted on 12/13/2005 11:34:07 AM PST by nuke rocketeer
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To: jmc1969
"There is a difference between terrorists and the national Iraqi resistance," he said. "Zarqawi's group does nothing but suicide attacks and killing Iraqis. That's not resistance."

WRONG! The "Iraqi National Resistance" are the Sunnis that blow up Shia marketplaces. Zarqawi's group are setting roadside IEDs targeting US convoys.

Don't let these slime push everything off onto Zarqawi.

28 posted on 12/13/2005 11:34:46 AM PST by Yo-Yo
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To: popdonnelly; All

These assholes are no different then Sadr's thugs or the Badr, the quicker we suck them in the less power Iran will have in Iraq and the less US soldiers will die.

Iran's biggest way they are exerting power in Iraq is though the militias. Without the insurgency Iran's power goes down greatly in Iraq.


29 posted on 12/13/2005 11:35:22 AM PST by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969
at one meeting of insurgent groups last summer, several Iraqi insurgent leaders suggested that "Iran is a bigger enemy of Iraq than America," and proposed that the insurgency refocus its priorities toward battling Iran.

America isn't a threat to the Sunnis. If anything, we're the only thing between them and violent retribution by 80% of Iraq's population. Neither the Kurds nor the Shiites will be as gentle as we are, so now's the time to make nice. They know damn well that if we leave, and they're still causing trouble, it will be civil war, and one they're not in much of a position to win.

30 posted on 12/13/2005 11:47:28 AM PST by Steel Wolf (* No sleep till Baghdad! *)
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To: Steel Wolf

Zarqawi and some of the extreme Saddamists had managed to convince these losers to go off the cliff with them. These guys are just figuring out were they are being lead and are trying to excape.


31 posted on 12/13/2005 11:51:19 AM PST by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969

Hmm now we know the reason for that recently released Video Tape.

Their house of cards is beginning to come apart at the seams.


32 posted on 12/13/2005 11:53:14 AM PST by Leatherneck_MT (3-7-77 (No that's not a Date))
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To: nuke rocketeer
Do a search there's lot of info on it. campaign cash abuse the answer is NO. Due to his position in one of the committees, he used his influence for military contracts to go to a relative or family company. Anyway, something like that. FR has had lots posted here, like I said do a search. Keyword: MURTHA
33 posted on 12/13/2005 11:53:42 AM PST by shield (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instructions.Pr 1:7)
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To: jmc1969

Bingo.


34 posted on 12/13/2005 11:56:36 AM PST by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
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To: jmc1969

I like your premise...

But Dean said...

But Kerry said...

But brother Murtha said...

But Tedward said...

But Pelosi said...

But Reid said...

There's a whole lot of butts in that party.


35 posted on 12/13/2005 11:56:37 AM PST by DoughtyOne (MSM: Public support for war waining. 403/3 House vote against pullout vaporizes another lie.)
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To: 308MBR

Yep, kill 'em.


36 posted on 12/13/2005 12:20:20 PM PST by processing please hold (Islam and Christianity do not mix ----9-11 taught us that)
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To: Semper Paratus
They want to cut a deal with US because the Iraqi Government coming in will deal differently.

And how.

37 posted on 12/13/2005 12:22:57 PM PST by Mike Darancette (Mesocons for Rice '08)
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To: jmc1969
According to a former Iraqi corps commander who says he has influence over the insurgency, at one meeting of insurgent groups last summer, several Iraqi insurgent leaders suggested that "Iran is a bigger enemy of Iraq than America," and proposed that the insurgency refocus its priorities toward battling Iran.

No, no, no! America is the Great Satan! How dare you suggest Iran is more of a threat. Our MSM will just have to educate these folks to their reality.

Poor Dems.

It's evident they planned the white flag stategy. The problem the have is that they believed their own propaganda arms that said Iraq was a quagmire so they believed they had time to impliment it. Their propaganda units didn't tell them the corner had been turned. We could have told them, but they don't believe conservatives. Now they are stuck trying to desperately withdraw before victory is solidified, and they are out of time. The Iraqi Government is about to be voted in. Forces will be coming home in some numbers, not because Dems demanded it, but because our forces are doing a hell of a job in preparing Iraqi's to defend their country and WILL have the task completed sooner then pessimists believe. I am that confidant in our forces, and the Iraqi's abilities to learn and take control of their country.

The people that have stood firm will get credit. The people that have vacilated or revealed themselves as opposed, will be ridiculed in the history books. This includes the so called "Republicans" like Hagel and so called "conservatives" that wilted, and there were a few in our alternative media. In a way I look forward to the loss of their credibility more than I do the Democrats, since I expect better from our side.

38 posted on 12/13/2005 12:40:14 PM PST by Soul Seeker (Mr. President: It is now time to turn over the money changers' tables.)
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To: jmc1969

Wowie! Zowie!


39 posted on 12/13/2005 1:56:40 PM PST by Jo Nuvark (Those who bless Israel will be blessed, those who curse Israel will be cursed. Gen 12:3)
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To: jmc1969
Just proves, again, that the democRAT party, and their fellow travelers of the "Hate Amerika First!" left, aided and comforted by the kool-aide drinkers of the leftstream media, are not omnipotent, (no matter what they say), although, they are invincible in their self imposed ignorance.

"The democRAT party, snatching defeat, from the jaws of victory, since Vietnam!"
40 posted on 12/13/2005 2:15:09 PM PST by porkchops 4 mahound ("Si vis pacem, para bellum", If you wish peace, prepare for war.)
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