But . . . will they listen to Iraqis any more than they have so far?

[bigtree]

2 hours, 2 minutes ago

US, Iraq joint panel will study troop levels: Khalilzad

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States and Iraq plan to set up a commission to study conditions for a reduction of US-led troops in Iraq, the US ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, said.

Khalilzad and the commander of multinational troops in Iraq, US General George Casey, soon would hold discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to organize the commission, the ambassador said.

"Casey and I are planning to sit together with the prime minister (al-Maliki) to establish a joint group to look at the conditions that would allow for adjustment down," Khalilzad said.

The commission would be composed of Iraqis and representatives of the international coalition providing troops to Iraq, he told the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think-tank.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060711/pl_afp/usiraqmilitary


STUDY????!! Study conditions?

Khalizad said today that 'conditions on the ground' make him want to stay longer:


Growing violence in Iraq concerns envoy
7/11/2006, 3:53 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Iraq on Tuesday expressed concern about growing sectarian violence but said suddenly withdrawing U.S. troops would almost certainly make it worse.

Noting that the process of nation-building in Iraq will take time, Khalilzad cautioned against a quick withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"A precipitous departure could unleash a sectarian civil war," he said.

http://www.silive.com/newsflash/washington/index.ssf?/base/politics-8/1152647970108650.xml&storylist=washington


clearly they don't GET IT. The continued occupation is making 'conditions on the ground' worse.

I wonder what he'll say when the Iraqis tell him that?