Article

2008-08-06 Iraq

SOFA Deal: Maliki Gives Tentative Approval

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Posted by McZoid 2008-08-06 14:57|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 "Maliki is: Saddam 2"

McZoid, have I lately mentioned how FULL OF SHIT you are?

Posted by OldSpook 2008-08-06 18:11|| 2008-08-06 18:11|| Front Page Top

#2 I'm waiting for Saddam 3: Electric Boogaloo myself.

Posted by Abdominal Snowman 2008-08-06 18:18|| 2008-08-06 18:18|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-08-06 19:38|| Front Page Top

#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If condition X is met by date Y, US/Allied forces amounting to A, B, C will no longer be needed and will be withdrawn 90 days after certification.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|| 2008-08-06 20:00|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-08-06 20:01|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-08-06 20:10|| Front Page Top

#7 Signatures plus a 1400 year old civil war equals peace? Sure!

Posted by McZoid 2008-08-06 23:47|| 2008-08-06 23:47|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2008-08-06 23:55|| Front Page Top

23:55 McZoid
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