U.S. to attend Iraq's 'neighbors meeting'

WASHINGTON -- In a diplomatic turnabout, the Bush administration will join an Iraq-sponsored "neighbors meeting" with Iran and Syria, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday.

It marked a change of approach by the United States, which has resisted calls by members of Congress and by a bipartisan Iraq review group to include Iran and Syria in talks designed to stabilize Iraq.

The move came amid growing discontent over the war, even as President Bush rushes an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq and congressional Democrats struggle to settle on their next steps to end U.S. participation.

The administration said its decision to take part in the Iraq conference did not represent a change of heart, although the White House has accused both Iran and Syria of deadly meddling in the war. "We've always been inclined to participate in an Iraqi-led conference," White House counselor Dan Bartlett said.

The administration in recent weeks has increased its criticism of Iran's role in Iraq, charging it with supplying advanced technologies for the most lethal form of roadside bombs. The administration has accused Syria of harboring anti-Iraqi government forces and allowing weapons to cross its border.

Rice announced U.S. support for the Iraq meeting, to be held in Baghdad next month, at a Senate hearing in which Democrats pressed her and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to explain what progress is being made in the Baghdad security crackdown and how soon U.S. troops will be coming home.

In announcing the "neighbors meeting" on Iraq, Rice said a number of interested countries were being invited. She said it was the Iraqi government's initiative to ask Iran and Syria.

"We hope that all governments will seize this opportunity to improve their relations with Iraq and to work for peace and stability in the region," Rice said.

Her announcement was welcomed by Democrats and Republicans alike.

"Today's announcement is a first step, but it is not enough on its own," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Our national security requires a robust diplomatic effort in the Middle East, and the Bush administration cannot again settle for mere half measures."

At the State Department, spokesman Sean McCormack said the agenda of the meeting would be set by the Iraqis.

"Security is clearly an important issue for the Iraqis. It's going to be at the top of the agenda," he said. "There are clearly issues that we have with respect to security in Iraq." He said roadside bombs, which are the leading killer of American troops and are in some cases linked to Iran, are "certainly at the top of our list."

McCormack said the Iraq meeting would not include any formal U.S.-Iran negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.