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| Iraq |
| SOFA Deal: Maliki Gives Tentative Approval |
| 2008-08-06 |
| Tentative Deal Reached for Withdrawal of U.S. Forces "Baghdad and Washington have set a time limit for the withdrawal of American forces during 2010 and 2011 subject to change according to circumstances Â… The agreement stipulates that arrests by the American army can only be made with the advance knowledge of the Iraqi government, and that no violations of the rights of Iraqi citizens will be permitted. Â… Iraqi and American negotiating teams also agreed to the return of all U.S. forces to their barracks." Al-Sabaah, Iraq August 5, 2008 Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki: Al-Sabaah sources say a tentative deal for the withdrawal of U.S. forces has been reached - and that U.S. troops will be out by 2011. If this is true, then I oppose this because the US should have insisted on unanimous agreement among Sunnis, Shiites, Seculars and Kurds. What is described here is in effect, a deal to the unilateral benefit of the Shiite majority. The Iraq Parliament is not representative. In fact, it is largely a tool of Iran. Baghdad: According to a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the two parties after a summary of results is presented to political leaders, Baghdad and Washington have set a time limit for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq during the years 2010 and 2011, subject to change according to circumstances. In addition, Al-Sabaah has learned of an important meeting held this morning by several National Assembly bloc leaders, during which a decision was made to hold a vote on a new provincial election law in the event a comprehensive agreement could be reached. Otherwise the vote will be postponed, perhaps until the next legislative term. Well-informed sources told Al-Sabaah: "the two teams of experts - American and Iraqi - will present a summary of their discussions to political leaders of their respective countries over the next few days, stressing that, "negotiations are continuing between the two parties and are near a conclusion, which may permit the rapid signing of the Status of Forces Agreement [SOFA]." The sources, which spoke in condition of anonymity, revealed that considerable progress had been made in the talks and in principal, a bilateral agreement for a withdrawal of American forces during 2010 and 2011 had been reached, subject to change according to circumstances. Meanwhile, the Ayatollahs are threatening to apply a chokehold to the Persian Gulf. The withdrawal may be completed by mid-2010, according to our sources. They also say that a consensus had been reached regarding the issue of arrests. The agreement stipulates that arrests by the American army can only be made with the advance knowledge of the Iraqi government, and that no violations of the rights of Iraqi citizens will be permitted. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and American President George W. Bush agreed last month to uphold a "declaration of intent," that was signed by the two leaders last year, which called for advancing relations between Iraq and the United States of America. During a telephone conversation, the sources added that Iraqi and American negotiating teams also agreed to the return of all U.S. forces to their barracks, in addition to continuing the training of Iraqi forces and preparing them for all necessary commitments. They confirmed that the political leadership has empowered Prime Minister Al-Maliki to sign the memorandum of understanding, after a consensus national position emerged during the course of the talks. Maliki is: Saddam 2. Obama will feast on this sellout. |
| Posted by:McZoid |
| #8 liberalhawk: Maliki's slavish treatment of Ahmadinejad, during his June visit, included a commitment that Iran wouldn't be attacked from bases in Iraq. Last Saturday, Ahmadinejad yet again claimed that Israel would be "annihilated." I have to disagree with any assertion that reliance on the democratic process will contribute to regional peace. Maliki is a Shiite Saddam. I would give him about one more year on this earth. |
| Posted by: McZoid 2008-08-06 23:55 |
| #7 Signatures plus a 1400 year old civil war equals peace? Sure! |
| Posted by: McZoid 2008-08-06 23:47 |
| #6 there ARE problems with the current Iraqi parliament as constituted. Too many religious parties, too few on the ground nitty gritty local politicians. That will PROBABLY change next election, esp in the Sunni areas, where Iraqi Islamic Party et al will lose votes to tribal sheiks associated with teh Awakening. In the Shiite zones, some losses for tater, and maybe some for SCIRI in favor of local sheiks (but also Dawa will gain based on Malikis run of good luck). I think it WAS a big mistake on the part Sistani to insist on a united Shia slate in 2005, which made everything more sectarian, and strengthened Shia fundie, esp Tater. But its not the same as Iran running the parliament. Though they DO have some influence. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2008-08-06 20:10 |
| #5 "The Iraq Parliament is not representative. In fact, it is largely a tool of Iran" Are you genuinely that stupid McZoid, or do you just work at it really really hard? |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-08-06 20:01 |
| #4 These are essentially the original intentions after the overthrow: we woudl leave once they have a steady and self-sufficient government that will not be a threat to us, and will be the only free Arab democracy in the region. Assuming they can become Iraqi's first, and shi/kurd/sunni/whatever second, and keep a professional military and police force, they will have accomplished this. Against huge odds. Note that all of our departures are 2 years or more out, and are all CONDITIONS based. In this form: If condition X is met by date Y, US/Allied forces amounting to A, B, C will no longer be needed and will be withdrawn 90 days after certification. This is what Bush called for all along so thats logical that the SOFA would be structured that way. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-08-06 20:00 |
| #3 the Iraqi presidency includes a Kurd and Sunni as well as a Shiite. They are quite represented in parliament. Fact is, the Sunnis have a hard time admitting they are dependent on the US for protection, after having argued against occupation so long. And the Kurds are too few. Anyway, look at the substance of this. Withdrawl in 2010 and 2011, depending on circumstances. Well if circumstances are good, of course we will withdraw then. This is not a defeat for the US, its confirmation of victory. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2008-08-06 19:38 |
| #2 I'm waiting for Saddam 3: Electric Boogaloo myself. |
| Posted by: Abdominal Snowman 2008-08-06 18:18 |
| #1 "Maliki is: Saddam 2" McZoid, have I lately mentioned how FULL OF SHIT you are? |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-08-06 18:11 |