The Iraqi resistance will no doubt see this as a sign of weakness. Perhaps the US wants to disengage to allow for a withdraw to begin later this year. A period of relative calm could give political and tactical cover for an American pullout to begin. If the resistance agrees to a cease-fire they will very likely use the time to rearm and reorganize.

Cease-Fire Eyed To End Iraq Violence

May 31, 2007 11:06 p.m. EST

Christopher Rizo - AHN Contributor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - In an attempt to quell the violence, U.S military officials are open to negotiating with Iraqi insurgents to explore a cease-fire.

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno said commanders will be talking with militants, tribes, religious leaders and others in the war-torn country.

"It's just beginning, so we have a lot of work to do in this," he said. "But we have restructured ourselves ... to work this issue."

Odierno said he expects the vast majority of Iraqis, including militants, can reach reconciliation with each other, warning that most al Qaeda cells will resist.

"We are talking about cease-fires, and maybe signing some things that say they won't conduct operations against the government of Iraq or against coalition forces," Odierno told reporters in a video conference from Baghdad.

He also warned that it may take longer than expected to know if the troop surge that President authorized in January worked as intended.

"The way I understand it, is we're going to be required to provide an assessment in September. So I will provide my assessment," Odierno said, adding it might not be complete by that time.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7007511314