On February 26, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger published an article entitled "It's Time to Start Talking". The article states its purpose from the very beginning: "The time has come to begin preparing for an international conference to define the political outcome of the Iraq war. Whatever happens, a diplomatic phase is necessary."

Kissinger believes that the negative consequences of the Iraq issue will threaten global oil supplies and the world economy, yet no-one has put forward a political solution. He admits that he personally supported the decision to overthrow Saddam, but says also that he argued that no solution in the middle of the Arab could be military alone. According to Kissinger, diplomacy should always have been treated as an integral part of the Iraq strategy. "The international conference should be the occasion, as well, to go beyond the warring factions in Iraq to moving toward a stable energy supply. It would be the best framework for a transition from American military occupation. Paradoxically, it may also prove the best framework for bilateral discussions with Syria and Iran."

Kissinger's offers some good advice, intriguing and closely related to the international situation since the outbreak of the war in Iraq. Those who launched the war in Iraq were unwilling to listen to Kissinger a few years ago, but today they have to think about them. Kissinger's opinion has been formed largely by recent developments in the international situation. The idea of a multilateral diplomatic framework is similar to that behind the six-party talks on the North Korea nuclear issue. This talks mechanism is a constructive platform for direct dialogue and contact between North Korea and the United States, thus contributing to a favorable resolution on the issue. Dr. Kissinger's proposed international conference on Iraq issue shares the essence of the multilateral diplomatic framework.

It is worth noting that the US government, which has refused to talk to Syria and Iran directly, has changed its position on the issue. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday that the United States supports Iraq's peace initiative. She emphasized that the solution to the problem of Iraq requires the active support of Iraq's neighboring countries. The United States, Iran and Syria will participate in the international conference in Baghdad in mid-March which is aimed at promoting stability in Iraq, added Rice.

The switch from the use of force to diplomatic negotiation is not a big step, but very meaningful, and welcome.

By People Daily Online