Hope in Iraq and the region? Iraq's neighbors agree to Baghdad summit

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

Are the adults finally starting to take charge? I'm more than a little sceptical that Bush is willing to concede anything, but as the "surge" fails the pressure will be on for a "peace with honor" solution.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -
Iraq's neighbors, including Iran and Syria, have agreed to join U.S. and British representatives at a regional conference here on the Iraqi security crisis, government officials said Wednesday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi told The Associated Press that Russia and France were studying the invitation, but "I don't see any sign they will refuse. Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, even the U.S and Britain have informed us they will participate," he said, although Tehran has said publicly it has made no decision. Abawi also said China had agreed to attend.

Washington's willingness to attend the conference marked a diplomatic turnabout after months of refusing dialogue with Tehran over calming the situation in Iraq. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday that the United States would join the meeting and that Washington supported the Iraqi government's invitation to Iran and Syria.

Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said earlier that Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari contacted Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to discuss the conference. "We are reviewing the proposal," Larijani said, quoted by the state TV Web site.

Larijani suggested the U.S. presence was not a problem for Iran. Asked by reporters if Iran was running a risk by attending the conference alongside the Americans, he replied, "One should not commit suicide because one is afraid of death" — meaning Iran should not hurt itself just to avoid possible negative results.

[Up2Late]

1. I wouldn't get too excited about all this "Baghdad summit," this might be the start of something...

...VERY BAD.

You should check out this interview with Seymour Hersh from yesterday and/or his new article in The New Yorker at these links:

<http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/070305fa_fact_hersh>

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=301722&mesg_id=301722>

This "new direction" could REALLY Suck.

[TwilightGardener]

2. This will piss off

the Freeper crowd, who see anything reasonable in terms of dealing with Iran as appeasement.

[shain from kane]

3. So, it's that time on the agenda to argue about the shape of the table.