Arab diplomats: Mideast nations holding secret talks on Iraq

[ECH1969]

Top intelligence officers from several Arab countries and Turkey have been meeting secretly to coordinate their governments' strategies in case civil war erupts in Iraq and in an attempt to block Iran's interference in the war-torn nation, Arab diplomats said Tuesday.

The four diplomats said intelligence chiefs from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and non-Arab Turkey held a series of meetings over the last few weeks to assess the situation in Iraq and work out plans to avoid any regional backlash that may result from sectarian conflict in Iraq.

The diplomats in several Middle Eastern capitals, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said Iran and Syria have been excluded from the talks. "They are part of the problem, not of the solution," said one diplomat whose country is involved in the talks.

He said the officials are focusing on the proposed U.S.-Iranian dialogue and the implications on Arabs and Turkey of any "American-Iranian deal."

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/702499.html

[Peace Patriot]

1. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE ganging up on Iran/Syria doesn't

surprise me a lot. They migtht as well be part of the United States of Bush. The others--especially Turkey--might be engaging in such talks for their own safety's sake.

But now that I think of it, I can't imagine this happening without the Bush junta's knowledge, and probably instigation. These "speaking on condition of anonymity" players send red flags up for me. Did any Arab say this--that Iran and Syria are "part of the problem"--or did that come straight from Condi Rice's desk to your eyes?

I wouldn't mind them taking some responsibility for the disaster they INVITED into the Middle East, but I don't think that's what this is.

[ECH1969]

2. Iran and Syria would love to carve up Iraq like Lebanon

These Arab countries are scared to death that they would be next after that.

[bemildred]

3. Oh good, more "secret talks" by "top intelligence officers"

spouting propaganda for the Rubes.

Those Arab states have good reason to worry if (should I say "when" now?) Irag disintegrates, and you may be sure that the non-Arab peripheral states have been preparing for that eventuality for some time now.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. The United States of America has made Iraq a "ghetto"

.
.
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destabilized the whole country where all the different factions are able to wreak their power and vengeance across the land . .

not to mention all the individual families that hate the USA for killing and maiming their loved ones.

Saddam used to have over a million troops controlling the country - if you stayed out of his way, you were safe

Bush and his father managed to reduce Saddam's military to peanuts - and are now trying to control an OCCUPIED country with under 150,000 troops?

Killing women and children all along the way, the USA's military is creating more enemies daily --

So the USA Administration progressed from having a "free fly zone" over Iraq, to creating a free terrorist zone right in the middle of the Middle East.

"Mission accomplished" indeed - the more I read and understand, I believe the USA Administration is more of a terror organization than those that downed the 2 towers.

The 2 towers was a message.

And the USA just didn't get it. . . . . .

[leftchick]

5. Diplomats: Mideast nations held secret talks on Iraq (No Iran or Syria)

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200604050925.htm

Cairo, April 5 (AP): Top intelligence officers from several Arab countries and Turkey have been meeting secretly to coordinate their Governments' strategies in case civil war erupts in Iraq and in an attempt to block Iran's interference in the war-torn nation, Arab diplomats said.

The four diplomats said on Tuesday that intelligence chiefs from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and non-Arab Turkey held a series of meetings over the last few weeks to assess the situation in Iraq and work out plans to avoid any regional backlash that may result from sectarian conflict in Iraq.

The diplomats in several Middle Eastern capitals, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said Iran and Syria have been excluded from the talks.

"They are part of the problem, not of the solution," said one diplomat whose country is involved in the talks.


http://www.juancole.com/

as Juan Cole points out....

Cole: Sorry folks, you can't actually do anything useful about this problem if you don't involve Syria and Iran.

[OKNancy]

6. There is a long history of Arab countries hating

Iran. ( non-Arabs). It makes sense in that respect.

[Warren Stupidity]

7. These would be the US-aligned and sunni MEcountries.

Must have been an interesting discussion. Topic A: what Kurd daily kill rate is Turkey allowed? Topic B: can we kill all of the Iraqi shiites, or just most of them?

[leftchick]

8. yep

oh what a tangled web bushco** has woven.