Imperato Calls it Again: US military seeks ceasefires in Iraq

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 05, 2007 – According to published reports by the Financial Times, US military officers in Iraq are attempting to negotiate ceasefires with some insurgent groups that have been responsible for the violence in the country.

Lt General Raymond Odierno, commander of ground forces in Iraq, said last week that the US was responding to insurgent groups that have signaled an interest in reconciliation.

"We're talking about ceasefires and maybe signing some things that say they won't conduct operations against the government of Iraq or against coalition forces," he said.
In his release back in November 2005, (" 2008 Presidential Contender Speaks out about Murtha, Cheney, Clinton, and Colin Powell), Imperato first laid out his cease fire strategy for Iraq.  Subsquently, he stated later on that month in his release ("Leading Independent Presidential Contender Address Bush's Speech on Iraq")

"I stand for a cease fire in Iraq," said Imperato.  "I am for peace, not war…I strongly suggest our administration to realize that the war on terrorism is a collective war, deeply rooted in the Middle Eastern region, and the greatest way to stop the terrorists is to collectively combine the entire region, including Syria and Iran, to all agree to a cease fire. Then, they should setup a collective Special Forces program to stomp out any and all terrorists groups and any and all supporters of terrorism."

Imperato has called for a cease fire some over 20 times during the past 18 months. Earlier this year, in his release, US and Iran Meet at Iraqi Summit: Presidential Candidate Speaks Out, Imperato said the following:

"Cease-fire. If we support the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government then we must stop patrolling their streets with automatic weapons and return back to our Iraqi bases, in case we are needed. In exchange, all sides, including the Shiia, Sunnis, and Kurds, must pledge to stop the unnecessary sectarian violence that is taking place in Iraq. Then and only then, can the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people start to deal with the issues that are stunting their growth," stated Imperato.

"In addition, the coalition of the Middle East, led by the Arab league, needs to setup a serious public relations campaign to reach out for the very people who are being persuaded, bribed, and bought to become terrorists. This press conference by our President George W. Bush, is long overdue, but the problem is he's only addressing the situation at hand and not the actual plan of ending the loss of life for our troops and the stopping of the bleeding of the billions of dollars that are being spent of American taxpayers money to maybe, one day, wish hope and pray that the Iraqi government will be able to contain and control their own country."  

While Imperato has pointed to a cease fire as the first sign of progress in the war, Gen Odierno cautioned that he did not want to be "too optimistic" about the prospects for success.

The US is facing increased attacks in Iraq. The death toll for May reached 122, making May the deadliest month for the US since the insurgency took hold in late 2004. Gen Odierno said the recent spike appeared in part aimed at influencing the debate in Washington.

The nascent negotiations with insurgents about ceasefires also appeared designed to help boost progress in Iraq before the September milestone.

A clear, public ceasefire in which a major insurgent group suspends attacks on US and Iraqi government forces would be major indicator that a political solution is possible. US and Iraqi officials have been increasingly confident that such a deal could be achieved with the more nationalist branches of the insurgency, isolating the more radical al-Qaeda-affiliated branches.

They have been encouraged by an increasingly public rift between al-Qaeda and more mainstream Sunni groups, such as the Islamic army of Iraq.