Tag Archive for 'Nepal'

Peacemaking is not a peaceful business. When Sweden hosts the international Iraq conference on May 29, this will definitely bug Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister. During a recent press briefing, Bildt was asked whether representation for Iraqi opposition movements would be present at the conference. His answer: “Al-Qaeda will not be invited.” Well, no one is asking Osama bin-Laden to attend the meetings, with his beard combed. But, apparently Bildt has missed a crucial point here: peace will be a far cry in Iraq without negotiations with the Shia and Sunni militant groups active in the conflict, especially the Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr. It is high time, these groups are invited to the table.

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