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| Iraq | |
| Iraq says may agree timetable for U.S. withdrawal | |
| 2008-07-08 | |
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 |
| #10 We can jam now if they want. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-07-08 23:11 |
| #9 #8 IMO is broadly correct - however, iff and when it becomes clear to Radical Islam that the US-Allies had failed to stop or won't stop NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION = IRAN, ETC FROM GETTING THE BOMB, INSURGENT VIOLENCE WILL BEGIN ANEW, ONLY STRONGER. E.G. SADR's MAHDI ARMY MILITIA, etc. > is still armed and still located "IN-PLACE" INSIDE IRAQ. ANY ISLAMIST HIDDEN IMAM-MAHDI CAN'T ASK FOR BETTER BATTLEFIELD OR MYTHIC-DIVINE CONDITIONS TO APPEAR. D *** NG IT, OSAMA, EVEN SUNSPOT CYCLE "24" IS RUNNING LATE 2008-2012. WHEN JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS, THE SUN WENT DARK FOR THREE DAYS, correct??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-07-08 22:06 |
| #8 Per Bill Roggio: The "Withdrawl timetable" is only for the cities, which are being turned over to the Iraqis anyway. The rest of the talks envision the US staying indefinately in large bases. This "story" is nothing but the MSM making a mountain out of a molehill. |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2008-07-08 17:22 |
| #7 Most of us recognize that the editors and elites who control the old mainstream media are an evil force for change that tirelessly promotes their radical agenda. As rewarded and reflected in their collapsing readership and viewership. :) |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-07-08 13:59 |
| #6 Even though it gets boring plz pass along what we know visa vi the MSM in other forums other than RB. ~:) |
| Posted by: RD 2008-07-08 12:32 |
| #5 but it's amusing to hear the "timetable" stuff reported endlessly and breathlessly on all "news" outlets - I even heard it on a 2-min. AM radio news summary yesterday. Unbelievable. I think even we more informed sorts still underestimate the impact and extent of info distortion on the US public and politics. There are hardly any voices but OURS to snare, decode and then ridicule the mainstream media's LIES. Most of us recognize that the editors and elites who control the old mainstream media are an evil force for change that tirelessly promotes their radical agenda. They have never let a sun set without punishing America with social & moral relativism. Any chance the MSM gets it trashes the concept of secure US borders and proclaims that sovereignty is just an old fashion notion. This year the MSM has unashamedly promoted Obama for Prez... free of charge no less. etc. etc. |
| Posted by: RD 2008-07-08 12:29 |
| #4 Politics. IIUC many of the Awakening forces did so because they got tired of AQI. Now they are gone this must be addressed even though coalition troops are acting with honor, the real honor. It still leaves open the option for a 20+ year presence. The US can point to their turnover of the Panama Canal as precedent; but perhaps Maliki could tell iran to get with the program as well. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2008-07-08 12:24 |
| #3 The souk is open and the haggling is on. But I doubt that Maliki & Co. don't know that if they lift immunity or something close for contractors, they'll soon see just about everything in the country involving foreigners come to a halt. I don't think even the oil companies will be relying on local security services entirely for a loooong time. And they can have fun with detentions up to a point, that point being any serious attack on US forces. I think this is 95% bargaining chips - but it's amusing to hear the "timetable" stuff reported endlessly and breathlessly on all "news" outlets - I even heard it on a 2-min. AM radio news summary yesterday. Unbelievable. I think even we more informed sorts still underestimate the impact and extent of info distortion on the US public and politics. |
| Posted by: Verlaine 2008-07-08 11:06 |
| #2 Negotiating, and/or undercutting Big O. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2008-07-08 06:06 |
| #1 Anuther for 2008-2012. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-07-08 00:04 |