RPCV Robert Blackwill upbeat about peace in Iraq



RPCV Robert Blackwill upbeat about peace in Iraq

Robert Blackwill upbeat about peace in Iraq
Publish Date : 1/10/2005 6:15:00 PM Source : Middle East News ExpressNewsline.com

(New Delhi, Jan 10) Robert Blackwill, former US presidential envoy to Iraq, is confident that Iraq will keep its date with destiny as it braces for the first nationwide elections after the toppling of its former ruler Saddam Hussein.

"There is going to be an impressive turnout of Iraqis in the Jan 30 elections. Besides, Iraq's economy is recovering and international help is on an upswing," said Blackwill, who also served as deputy national security advisor for strategic planning under George Bush.

"The US is closer to a solution in Iraq than the world might think. Prepare yourself for an activist George Bush II," added Blackwill.

The former US ambassador to India was speaking at an interactive meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here Monday. He is in India in his new avatar as high-profile lobbyist and president of Barbour Griffith and Rogers, a top Washington-based lobbying firm.

"Despite TV images of violence and bloodshed, I am optimistic about the future of Iraq. 2005 is going to be a good year for Bush in Iraq," the diplomat prophesied.

Blackwill reiterated the US government's official position on Pakistan as "a crucial ally" on the war on terror. "Pakistan is playing a crucial role in the global war on terror; its cooperation is indispensable in this war," he said.

Although he refused to comment specifically on the US pressure on India to commit its troops in Iraq, he tactfully said that the US was looking forward to "a greater involvement of India in the Middle East" beset by tribalism and entrenched ethnic hatreds.

Alluding to the global war on terror, Blackwill said that the US has managed to eliminate at least two-thirds of Al Qaeda. The threat of anarchic terror attack, however, remains frighteningly real.

"Terror has no fixed address. An attack on the US homeland or for that matter on a non-US city is possible and can't be totally ruled out," he said.(IANS) - Express Newsline.

When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

January 22, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Spread Freedom — but not at gunpoint 22 Jan Dodd has ring side seat at Inauguration 21 Jan Peace Corps works in Georgia 21 Jan Trey Aven monitored Ukraine elections 21 Jan RPCV group makes quiet indie-pop 21 Jan Anthony Shriver considers race for Florida Governor 20 Jan Thomas Tighe says internet brought funds to DRI 20 Jan Stacy Jupiter researches Australia ecosystems 20 Jan Libby Garvey is education activist 20 Jan David McIntyre captures medals on land and in water 19 Jan Carol Bellamy new president of World Learning 18 Jan Reed Hastings crossed "Latino Caucus'' 18 Jan RPCVs sponsor Freeze for Food to aid Colombia farmers 18 Jan RPCVs urge Bush to aid Democracy in Ukraine 17 Jan Tom Petri proposes changes in student loan program 17 Jan Golden Globe Win for Jamie Foxx in RPCV's "Ray" 17 Jan Stephen Smith is new consul-general in Australia 17 Jan

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