DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./IRAQ: AMNESTY FOR "INSURGENTS" IN IRAQ

US envoy hints at amnesty for Iraq insurgents

Washington's ambassador to Iraq hinted yesterday that the United States was open to granting amnesty to former Al Qaeda insurgents who fought against it in the blood-soaked country. "As part of a political reconciliation process, amnesty can be very important," Ambassador Ryan Crocker told Fox News television, speaking from Baghdad.

"It can also be important in this particular context as we seek to draw as many elements as we can away from the fight ... against us and into the fight against a common enemy, Al Qaeda. "In terms of individual cases involving people who have American blood on their hands, that is something we have to consider very carefully."

The number two head of US forces in Iraq, Raymond Odierno, said on Thursday that the US was discussing ceasefires with some Iraqi insurgent groups in an effort to reduce attacks on US and Iraqi government forces.

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1) US envoy hints at amnesty for Iraq insurgents