While Clark has said he is "not optimistic" about Iraq and just today that "the elections hardened the sectarian divisions in Iraq," he also said this in a NYT OP ed. last month:
"But these efforts must go hand-in-glove with intensified outreach to Iraqi insurgents, to seek their reassimilation into society and their assistance in wiping out residual foreign jihadists. Iraqi and American officials have had sporadic communications with insurgent leaders, but these must lead to deeper discussions on issues like amnesty for insurgents who lay down their arms and opportunities for their further participation in public and private life."
http://securingamerica.com/oped/nyt/2005-12-06And today there is this in the NYT:
Americans Said to Meet Rebels, Exploiting Rift
By DEXTER FILKINS and SABRINA TAVERNISE
Published: January 7, 2006
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 6 - American officials are talking with local Iraqi insurgent leaders to exploit a rift that has opened between homegrown insurgents and radical groups like Al Qaeda, and to draw the local leaders into the political process, according to a Western diplomat, an Iraqi political leader and an Iraqi insurgent leader.
http://nytimes.com/2006/01/07/international/middleeast/07insurgents.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5094&en=2c6c50fa57b61e17&hp&ex=1136696400&partner=homepageYeah, it makes me wonder...