Bush, Blair To Meet To Discuss Iraq Quagmire

December 7th, 2006

Washington, D.C. - In the wake of a scathing report about his failed war policies, President George Bush is meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday to discuss the quagmire that is Iraq.

In the wake of a scathing report about his failed war policies, President George Bush is meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday to discuss the quagmire that is Iraq.

A bipartisan "Iraq Study Group", headed by James Baker, has suggested the United States withdraw its forces from combat in Iraq and launch a diplomatic effort, including Iran and Syria, to prevent "a slide toward chaos" in the country.

After nearly four years of bloodshed and more than 2,900 American deaths, including 10 more deaths yesterday, "grave and deteriorating" is how the report described the situation in Iraq.

It also called for the Bush administration to try diplomacy with Iran and Syria and to press for a "comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace" to settle the disasterous conflict.

Along with recommendations on changes to policy in Iraq the report also called for action on finding an end to the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

The report offers no hard timetable for a pullout of US forces, but says combat troops could withdraw by early 2008.

However, the review recommended that the US "engage directly with Iran and Syria", and that Washington should "consider incentives and disincentives" for the two nations.