President Bush’s rejection yesterday of timetables for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and offer of an olive branch to insurgent leaders could open the door for greater Sunni Arab participation in December 15 elections for Iraq’s National Assembly.
A 38-page “Iraq national strategy,” declassified and released yesterday, states that America’s commanders and diplomats in Iraq will “engage those outside the political process and invite in those willing to turn away from violence through ever-expanding avenues of participation.”
Sunni Arab organizations such as the Sunni Muslim Scholars Association participated in negotiations regarding Iraq’s constitution, which leaders have promised to amend, and on Tuesday met with American military commanders in Fallujah, Iraq, to discuss a ceasefire in the insurgency.
The endorsement from Mr. Bush, however, could go even further toward securing their participation in the December 15 elections.