Obama: Iran can help stabilize Iraq Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:58:48
Democrat Barack Obama says a 'regional diplomatic surge' is vital for the restoration of security in Iraq, calling for talks with Iran.
"I do not believe we are going to be able to stabilize the situation without them... we should be talking to them as well," said the presidential aspirant, pointing to Iran.
According to the Illinois senator, regional resources should be pooled on diplomatic efforts rather than preserving the 'messy, sloppy status quo' of the Bush administration if the US seeks to avoid a long-term crisis in the war-battered country.
Obama made the remarks after the commander of US forces in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, presented the Congress with a progress report on Iraq.
Opposing Petraeus' suggestion to halt the withdrawal of troops after July, the 46-year-old senator noted that a phased-out reduction of forces, as opposed to a 'precipitous' one, would encourage further cooperation among Iraqi factions.
Democratic frontrunner Obama has come under a lot of criticism from rivals Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee-in-waiting John McCain since he revealed his intention to hold talks with Iran if elected president.