Seems the success was so impressive they will try it again.



BAGHDAD — -- U.S. diplomats and military officers have been in talks with members of the armed movement loyal to Muqtada Sadr, a sharp reversal of policy and a grudging recognition that the radical Shiite cleric holds a dominant position in much of Baghdad and other parts of Iraq.

The secret dialogue has been going on since at least early 2006, but appeared to yield a tangible result only in the last week -- with relative calm in an area of west Baghdad that has been among the capital's most dangerous sections.

The discussions have been complicated by divisions within Sadr's movement as well as the cleric's public vow never to meet with Iraq's occupiers. Underlying the issue's sensitivity, Sadrists publicly deny any contact with the Americans or British -- fully aware the price of acknowledging such meetings would be banishment from the movement or worse.


LINK

U.S. diplomats and military officers have been in talks with members of the armed movement loyal to Muqtada Sadr

So now we negotiate with terrorist. Cool.

Sunnis lost their main tribal leader. It will be interesting to see if someone steps up to replace him.