Reply #1: Fisk makes an excellent point --this is how French eventually withdrew from Algeria...

[Blackhatjack]

Initial proposals are always 'unacceptable.' However, the real news is that the parties are willing to talk to each other and negotiate.

No matter how far apart the parties are, there is the chance that the negotiations could lead to an agreement.

The added benefit is that as negotiations begin in earnest, there is a high likelihood that insurgent attacks would lessen or even be suspended.