Would you accept terms from Insurgents?

Question

INSURGENTS TO HALT ATTACKS! Story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060628/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_060628170117;_ylt=A9G_RxpuEKNElB8ArgpX6GMA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Let me be clear. I was in the military 6yrs in Europe & Mid-East. I wholeheartedly support our current mission of planting democracy in the geographic heart of the Muslim world. I know, AFTER we leave, it will prosper & spread to neighboring populations in Iran, Syria, Saudi, Egypt, Yemen, etc. And that with reform, democracy, & modern education (in 10-20yrs) there will be no one willing to listen to the cult of evil which is extremist militant Islam (read bin Laden if you like). We've never wanted a war in Iraq against the Sunni insurgents, just al Qaeda.

Short & sweet, would you accept terms from Sunni insurgents to pull out all troops in two years CONDITIONAL on their support to destroy al Qaeda & spin up Iraqi defense forces & democratic govt?

PLEASE read the question in full.

As to method, of course this would be the Iraqi Govt. We are their guest there & would leave on a dime if they insist. Technically, it would be the Iraqi govt agreeing to this deal, of course with us expressing some conditions to them (as I noted in the question) as a part of the deal the insurgent groups would have to agree to. Basiclly, if they come over to our side against al queada, support the govt politically, & help build the military capability so we can leave on our original terms (they stand up, we stand down)... would you support this move under those circumstances?

The planting democracy thing has worked in MANY MANY places when it is seen thru to the end. It is working right now in Bonsia to change a culture of ethnic hatred several hundred years old.

I do think it would be good for us to have a long term military base in Kurdish territory. I am uncomfortable with this deal seeming to hand the insurgents something of a victory when this war is as much about American toughness in the eyes of muslims as it is military victory. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them & we'd be right back there on the ground in a second if they mess it up. I honestly don't know how to feel about this yet, that's why I'm asking.

Mind you this is TWO MORE YEARS from now we're talking about, and full support of the Sunni population against remaining al Queada (who I thnk would flee the country for Somalia after 6 months under these conditions).

Answer 1

First off, I'm not going to fully accept this story until I see something about it in the news on pbs. (hasn't happened yet)

With that said, I see 2 problems:
1. We can't make deals with the insurgents. Only the new Iraqi government can and if they accept it then we should.

2. Are the insurgents willing to accept the new Iraqi government as the controlling power in Iraq... even after we leave?

3. From reading your link onthe story, it appears to only be a portion of the insurgency. So that would be a problem.

Answer 2

So we're NOT talking about making deals with the guys coming in from Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. We're talking about the Iraqis who created all those mass graves, gassed their own people and danced in the streets after we were attacked while their leader offered reward money to the families of our attackers. I wouldn't trust them to keep their word.

If we were sincerely worried about protecting America we could stop al Qaeda. We have the military strength. We just don't have the will to further risk the death of innocents. If the Iraqi people are dumb enough to trust the same people who gassed them and imprisoned their kids, then we have no choice to leave Iraq. But, at last count, al Qaeda had cells in 107 countries (including Canada and Florida). Exactly how does Saddam's former buddies intend to control them?

Our boys worked hard to get the Iraqi elections up and running. The Iraqis literally risked their lives to vote! I must be missing something. Why are we supposed to make deals with these "insurgents?"

Answer 3

No, because I don't trust them enough to make a deal.

Also -- no, because we have only two allies in the Middle East, and those are Israel and the Kurds, neither of whom particularly profit from making a deal wtih the insurgents.

Also --no, because it looks like a ploy from the insurgents to get sympathy from other Muslims, especially Arabs, through exposure to TV coverage.

Also, no becuase I don't think it cooks up a good exit strategy. Our long-standing, poorly planned colonial occupation is not going to be ended by making this kind of sweetheart deal.

Answer 4

They have to prove their credibility before we negotiate with them. Right now they have no government and don't even abide by the Geneva Convention. Not only that, but any negotiating would have to involve the Iraq government as well - it's their country, so they'd have to be involved.

I don't think we can trust them for any of this. It would take them years to earn our trust - so no, I don't think negotiating is an option at this point. But - I agree that in a perfect world, where we did trust them, we could create a peace treaty that lets everyone walk away victorious.

Answer 5

Osama offered us a deal on Al Jazeera:

Leave Iraq and they will also, and allow the Iraqis toi rule themselves, leave them alone.

In return, they will cease all attacks on Americans OUTSIDE of America. That translates to attacks in the US. Surprised the libs that want us out of Iraq didn't vote for that one.

Answer 6

I don't think it would work like that.
However, I do think that we are going to have to talk our way out of Iraq at some point, and that is going to have to involve the insurgents. I don't think there is even enough consensus amongst the insurgents that they know what they are fighting for, other than some vague unstated Islamic ideal and hating the US

Answer 7

Sure if theyre willing to become Iraqie soldiers !


P.S. Not to burst your bubble , but the whole planting democracy thing doesn't work ! This is a historical fact !!

Answer 8

Only with controlling conditions to monitor efforts and with a permanent military base in the country.

Answer 9

No, Having served W/the USMC there and seeing first hand the new govt there would not last a year. And it would cost more of our men & women's lives to go back in.

Answer 10

maybe.if it mean some of our men and womens coming home to thier love ones