Row ‘delays’ USA-Iraq military deal
12/6/08
A controversial agreement between Iraq and the United States over America’s long-term military presence in Iraq appears set to be delayed. Officials in Baghdad and Washington said two weeks ago that the Status of Forces Agreement, or Sofa, would be settled by the end of July. But Khalaf al-Olayan, a Sunni bloc leader in Iraq’s parliament, told Al Jazeera: “It’s not possible to finalise an agreement of this importance so quickly. “The timing is extremely tight.”
See: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/75A72817-67CC-4503-B86C-DE96C61270B9.htm
George Bush’s Last Maneuver in Iraq
Ramzy Baroud; 12/6/08
When US forces descended on Baghdad five years ago, they seemed unstoppable. It seemed only a matter of time before the same frenzied scenario took place in Tehran, Damascus, and elsewhere. As it turned out, the day Saddam’s status was toppled was the day that the US Army faced its real battle in Iraq. Five years of continuous and unrelenting bloodbaths may have toned down Bush’s expectations. The lonely crusader who once vowed to fight tyranny at any cost is now trying to secure a treaty that would indefinitely secure US interests in Iraq. His administration may essentially be hoping to achieve what it regards as the best possible outcome of a worst possible situation.
See: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=110802&d=12&m=6&y=2008
If Bush had only read Iraqi history
12/6/08
Michael Jansen; Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has failed to persuade domestic and neighbouring critics to go along with the US version of a status of forces agreement (SOA), which would legitimise the presence of US troops and politicos in Iraq for the foreseeable future. Iraqi legislators argue that the proposed SOA would turn the country into a US client state. According to the so-far secret but leaked original text, the US would be granted 58 bases, 20 more than at present, and control of the Iraqi ministries of defence, interior, and intelligence for a decade. Weapons purchases would be submitted to the US government for approval. The US would exercise control of Iraqi airspace up to 29,000 feet and have free access to Iraq’s land, air and water. US forces would be allowed to mount operations inside and outside Iraq without Iraqi government approval and troops and civilian contractors would have immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law. The US would be empowered to construct and run prisons and detain Iraqis deemed a security threat.
See: http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=8542