Purported spokesman for an Iraqi insurgent group offers negotiations with the United States The Associated Press Published: October 5, 2006 BAGHDAD, Iraq A purported spokesman for a Sunni insurgent group, the Islamic Army in Iraq, offered to open negotiations with the Americans in an audiotape aired by Al-Jazeera television on Thursday. The tape was said to be from Ibrahim al-Shimmari, whose name has appeared in past statements by the group, which has claimed responsibility for a number of suicide bombings against civilians and attacks on U.S. troops. The tape's authenticity could not be independently confirmed. "We are prepared for any negotiations, whether secret or public, on the condition only that they are sincere. We have no objection to mediators with international credentials, and it is possible to exchange letters," the speaker in the tape said. Al-Shimmari has offered such negotiations in past statements. He did not elaborate on the goal of any talks. T...