Imagine that.
Fallujah's civic leaders joined American officials Monday in calling for insurgents battling Marines here to surrender their heavy weapons in return for an end to the U.S. siege of the city, according to a U.S. spokesman.
The commitments appeared to be the first fruits of direct negotiations between U.S. officials and a group of civic leaders and professions representing Fallujah residents.
The joint statement also outlines promises to improve the humanitarian situation in the besieged city and to attempt a restoration of control in the city to Iraqi security forces, U.S. spokesman Dan Senor said.
Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt warned, however, that if the deal fell apart, Marines were prepared to attack and take the city quickly.
"It would appear there is an agreed political track," he told reporters. "There is also a very clear understanding ... that should this agreement not go through Marine forces are more than prepared to carry through with military operations" and could seize Fallujah "in fairly short order."
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