Bush Expresses Caution on Key Points in Iraq Panel’s Report

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and KATE ZERNIKEPublished: December 7, 2006
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 — President Bush moved quickly on Thursday to distance himself from the central recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group: pulling back all combat brigades over the next 15 months and direct talks with Iran and Syria.
The report also called for the United States to open negotiations on stabilizing Iraq with Syria and Iran – a proposal advanced last month by Mr. Blair in a major policy speech.