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Iraq says may agree timetable for U.S. withdrawal
The security deal under negotiation will replace a U.N. mandate for the presence of U.S. troops that expires on December 31. "Today, we are looking at the necessity of terminating the foreign presence on Iraqi lands and restoring full sovereignty," Maliki told Arab ambassadors in blunt remarks during an official visit to Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. "One of the two basic topics is either to have a memorandum of understanding for the departure of forces or a memorandum of understanding to set a timetable for the presence of the forces, so that we know (their presence) will end in a specific time." Maliki was responding to questions from the ambassadors about the security negotiations with the United States. The exchange was shown on Iraqiya state television. U.S. officials in Baghdad had no immediate comment. Last month Maliki caught Washington off guard when he said talks on the security deal were at a "dead end" after he complained Iraq's sovereignty was being infringed by U.S. demands. Both sides later said progress was being made. Maliki said the Iraqi and U.S. positions had gotten closer, but added "we cannot talk about reaching an agreement yet". He said foreign forces would need Iraqi permission for many of their activities once the U.N. mandate ended. "This means the phenomena of unilateral detention will be over, as well as unilateral operations and immunity," he said. Maliki did not clarify who the immunity referred to. Officials have said contractors working for the U.S. government would lose immunity from Iraqi law, but Washington is highly unlikely to let the same thing happen to U.S. solders. Posted by: Steve White 2008-07-08 |
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