Independent (UK): From all corners, support grows for Iraq peace plan

[BurtWorm]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2129987.ece


Yesterday in 'The Independent', the former Iraqi defence minister Ali Allawi presented a blueprint for peace in Iraq. His proposals have met with overwhelming approval

By Ben Russell, Kim Sengupta and Rupert Cornwell in Washington
Published: 06 January 2007

A blueprint for peace in Iraq has won praise from across the political establishment as senior figures from all parties urged a new strategy to bring states across the Middle East into the struggle to end the conflict.

Senior Labour figures joined opposition MPs in welcoming the plan, set out by Iraq's former defence minister Ali Allawi, for Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey to be given a role in helping to end the increasingly bitter sectarian divisions in Iraq that have helped push the country towards civil war. Senior military figures and foreign affairs analysts also backed the intervention of Mr Allawi, a senior adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, whose blueprint was revealed in yesterday's Independent.

It comes as Tony Blair and George Bush consider a new strategy for Iraq to quell the worsening violence and instability.

Mr Allawi proposed decentralisation in Iraq, with the central government acting as "adjudicators" between regions. He said a series of regional conferences should be called to start the process of establishing international bodies with Iraq's neighbours to encourage security co-operation and act as a guarantor of civil rights.

In London, the Foreign Office said it supported opening communications with Iraq's neighbours, insisting that the Government was already working to foster relations throughout the region. A spokesman said: "We have diplomatic relations with the countries in this area and we can use the diplomatic service to encourage dialogue and have officials visiting the region. We have an ongoing process of engagement."

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[LynnTheDem]

1. Wondered when Allawi would make his reappearance.

Chalabi next?

[seabeyond]

2. looks a lot like kerrys plan for the last two years. another, he was right n/t

[applegrove]

3. Good news if it sticks!