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New push for Iraq reconciliation New push for Iraq reconciliation
(about 2 hours later)
Representatives from Iraq's different communities are holding talks to try to curb the bloodshed that has brought the country to the brink of civil war. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called on former members of Saddam Hussein's army to return - in a move to win over disaffected Sunnis.
The 300 delegates invited to attend include exiled members of former leader Saddam Hussein's Baath party. He added that those who preferred not to join the new Iraqi army would receive their pensions.
Hardline Sunni insurgents and radical Shias are not taking part. He made the statement at the start of talks between members of both Shia and Sunni moderate groups, aimed at curbing rampant sectarian violence.
A BBC correspondent says Iraqis are desperate for the deadlock to be broken but there's little optimism this conference will do that. The escalating conflict is killing about 100 Iraqis on average every day.
Jim Muir in Baghdad says the need for the talks is burningly obvious, with neighbourhoods splitting along sectarian lines in a conflict that is killing about 100 Iraqis on average every day. The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the need for the talks is burningly obvious, with neighbourhoods splitting along sectarian lines.
At the start of the conference, Mr Maliki said the meeting was open to those who did not have blood on their hands. The 300 delegates invited to attend include exiled members of former leader Saddam Hussein's Baath party. Sunni insurgents and radical Shias are not taking part.
He said the new Iraqi and the government "is prepared to absorb those who have the desire to serve the nation", including members of the military and Baath party under Saddam Hussein's rule. At the start of the two-day conference, Mr Maliki said: "The Iraqi army opens its doors to officers and soldiers from the former army who wish to serve the country."
Some exiled Sunni Arabs who were leading figures in the Baath party have been invited to attend but it is unclear if they have done so. I call on your conference to denounce the policy of sectarian incitement that promotes hatred and violence Nouri Maliki
However, some representatives of Iraq's majority Shia community, which was persecuted under Saddam Hussein's rule, have threatened to boycott the talks if Baathists attend. Shortly after the 2003 invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, the US administrator in Iraq dissolved the country's army - a move analysts say drove many soldiers into the Sunni Arab insurgency.
Mr Maliki - a Shia - told delegates that former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party who had no "blood on their hands" should be treated differently from those who did.
"We draw a distinction between the two, so as not to harm the first group and so that the second does not escape justice."
The prime minister also urged delegates "to denounce the policy of sectarian incitement that promotes hatred".
Worsening violenceWorsening violence
The talks have been delayed several times and were launched with little fanfare. Politicians from Iraq's Shia and Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties are the main participants of the Baghdad talks.
Politicians from Iraq's Shia and Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties are the main participants. Discussion were expected to focus on the presence of US-led troops, as well as the impact of Shia and Sunni militia groups.
Nearly 3,000 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since 2003 The United States has more than 130,000 soldiers in Iraq
The discussion is likely to focus on the presence in Iraq of troops from the US and other countries, as well as the impact of Kurdish and Shia militia groups and Sunni insurgents. The Sunni insurgents have been blamed for bomb attacks targeting Shias and US forces.
Sunni insurgents have been blamed for bomb attacks targeting Shias and US forces. Shia militiamen suspected of links to the newly formed armed forces have been accused of operating death squads.
Shia militiamen suspected of links to the newly-formed armed forces have been accused of operating death squads.
Tens of thousands of people have died in worsening violence.Tens of thousands of people have died in worsening violence.
It is not clear how many serious opponents of the government are attending the conference, our correspondent says.It is not clear how many serious opponents of the government are attending the conference, our correspondent says.
Past conferences held to curb the violence have had little effect. An Iraqi government official quoted by the Reuters news agency expressed doubt that these talks would be any different.Past conferences held to curb the violence have had little effect. An Iraqi government official quoted by the Reuters news agency expressed doubt that these talks would be any different.
"Let them talk. More talking will not harm anyone. But I doubt there would be results," the official said."Let them talk. More talking will not harm anyone. But I doubt there would be results," the official said.
Worsening violenceWorsening violence
The White House said Mr Maliki vowed to improve security in a conversation by video link with President Bush beforehand.The White House said Mr Maliki vowed to improve security in a conversation by video link with President Bush beforehand.
According to a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, President Bush and Mr Maliki spoke for the 30 minutes on the eve of the conference. According to a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, President Bush and Mr Maliki spoke for 30 minutes on the eve of the conference.
Mr Maliki "talked about providing greater security, in particular in Baghdad by going after all sources of violence, including insurgents and militias," the spokesman said. Mr Maliki "talked about providing greater security, in particular in Baghdad by going after all sources of violence, including insurgents and militias", the spokesman said.
He said Mr Bush repeated his support for Mr Maliki and said he had been encouraged by recent meetings with Iraqi leaders.He said Mr Bush repeated his support for Mr Maliki and said he had been encouraged by recent meetings with Iraqi leaders.