Iraq wants US pullout timetable

[texas grass]

Iraq wants US pullout timetable
Al-Maliki says the interim pact's goal would be to end foreign troop presence [GALLO/GETTY]

Iraq's prime minister has for the first time publicly called for a US troop withdrawal timetable.

Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday that a military agreement the two countries are negotiating should include provisions for the withdrawal of American troops.

In a meeting with Arab ambassadors in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, al-Maliki said Iraq had proposed a short-term interim memorandum of agreement rather than the more formal status of forces agreement the two sides have been negotiating.

"Negotiations are ongoing with the US side and the current attitude is to reach a memorandum of understanding either for immediate US forces withdrawal or timetable withdrawal," he said on Monday.

The memorandum "now on the table" includes a formula for the withdrawal of US troops, he said.

"The goal is to end the presence [of foreign troops]," al-Maliki said.

The prime minister offered few details, but his national security adviser, Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, told The Associated Press that the government was proposing a timetable contingent on Iraqi forces being able to provide security.

No 'hard date'

The Bush administration's response was muted, saying it was not negotiating for a "hard date" to withdraw its troops.

A deal is needed to keep US troops in Iraq after a UN mandate expires [AFP]

"Negotiations and discussions are ongoing every day," Gordon Johndroe, a White House spokesman, said on Tuesday in Japan, where George Bush, the US president, was attending the Group of Eight summit.

"It is important to understand that these are not talks on a hard date for a withdrawal."

Some type of agreement is needed to keep US troops in Iraq after a UN mandate expires at year's end.

But many Iraqi legislators have criticised the government's attempt to negotiate a formal status of forces agreement, worried that US demands would threaten the country's sovereignty.

Al-Maliki's latest comments could be aimed at trying to blunt opposition in parliament to any deal.

He could also be trying to avoid parliament altogether.

Although he promised in the past to submit a formal agreement with the US to the legislative body, his spokesman indicated on Monday that the government might feel no need to get approval from parliament for a shorter-term interim deal.

"It is up to the cabinet whether to approve it or sign on it, without going back to the parliament," Ali al-Dabbagh said.

Negotiating ploy

Just last month, facing growing internal Iraqi opposition, the prime minister had said the talks over the security deal were at a "dead end".

"We have reached a deadlock because, when we started these talks, we found that the US demands hugely infringe on the sovereignty of Iraq, and this we can never accept," he had said.

But his foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, admitted that statement was a negotiating ploy, and the talks have continued.

But negotiations have repeatedly stalled, with Iraq and the US seemingly unable to agree on a range of conditions.

One of the most contentious issues was a US demand for immunity for foreign security contractors.

Last week, Zebari claimed the US had agreed to drop the immunity demand, which would subject contractors to prosecution under Iraqi law.

The Bush administration had hoped to wrap up negotiations by the end of July, but has since backed off that deadline while still expressing confidence a deal can be reached.

Now with al-Maliki's latest push for a withdrawal timetable, which Bush rejects, neither country appears any closer to signing the deal.

texas grass Reviewed by texas grass on 07-08-2008. Iraq wants US pullout timetable Iraq wants US pullout timetable Al-Maliki says the interim pact's goal would be to end foreign troop presence Iraq's prime minister has for the first time publicly called for a US troop withdrawal timetable. Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday that a military agreement the two countries are negotiating should include provisions for the withdrawal of American troops. In a meeting with Arab ambassadors in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, al-Maliki said Iraq had proposed a short-term Rating: 5

[4maggio]

Here in the US, there are lobbiests.. they suck ass and pay big so that whomever they represent are not over looked and they get what they want!

The US people have NO lobbiests working for them. They get what is 'given' to them.. don't blame us all.

Politicians (basically lawyers) suck.. In your country too!

But here we have Al maliki.. wanting a withdraw date.. they must want Osama Obama for new pres... no balls and he wants a withdraw date too. .. is Maliki lobbying for Obama and the Iraq insurgants??? They "made him an offer he can't refuse"! LOL!!!

[texas grass]

Iraq official demands specific dates for US military withdrawal

DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis

July 8, 2008, 7:49 PM (GMT+02:00)
Tough talk from Iraqi national security adviser Mouwaffak al-Rubaie

Tough talk from Iraqi national security adviser Mouwaffak al-Rubaie

Iraq's national security adviser, Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, said Tuesday, July 8, his government will not accept the security accord under negotiation with the United States unless it contains specific dates for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.

DEBKAfile reports: President George W. Bush has consistently opposed any such timetable, as has the Republican presidential nominee John McCain. His Democratic rival, Barack Obama, once pledged withdrawal within 14 months if he were elected to the White House, but has since changed his position on the Iraq War and the US military role there.

DEBKAfileâ??s Gulf sources stress that al Rubaieâ??s demand is consistent with Tehranâ??s position that the sooner US troops quit Iraq the faster its problems will be solved. Iranâ??s leaders will undoubtedly view the Iraqi officialâ??s demand as major achievement.

Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Malikiâ??s statement a day earlier was less specific than the security adviserâ??s: He said he expects the pending troop deal with the United States to have â??some type of timetable for withdrawal.â?�

The White House responded that Maliki did not appear to be proposing a â??rigid timetable.â?�

In the light of the ongoing secret dialogue between Washington and Tehran, revealed by DEBKAfile, which dates from their covert cooperation over the Iraqi government operation against rogue militias in Basra five months ago, the White House may well accept a compromise, whereby Washington will consider withdrawing its forces from Iraq according to an agreed timeline, given the right conditions on the ground. This issue is likely to be settled at the Washington-

[killerweed420]

This all good news. Glad to see Iraq is ready to move on and take control of there country again.

[8182KSKUSH]

That would fuck Obama over fairly well, imagine if a time table were put into place prior to the election, that is one of his major running points. That being said, we are not leaving Iraq anytime soon. Just my opinion.

[GreenLeaf420]

Too Hell W/ Them:

He is saying that publicly so they stop popping shots @ him... Publicly he will comment but behind close doors he is kissing anyone's ass we tell him to... They are all puppets we put in place.

We should just turn that desert into glass and just end this SHIT once and for all w/ these sand s!!!

[psychocat]

Too Hell W/ Them:

He is saying that publicly so they stop popping shots @ him... Publicly he will comment but behind close doors he is kissing anyone's ass we tell him to... They are all puppets we put in place.

That's so funny , you actualy believe you get to choose the arseholes that bullshit and rob you.

We should just turn that desert into glass and just end this SHIT once and for all w/ these sand s!!!

You wouldn't be talking about the shit that America caused when they invaded a country under false pretences would you ?

The insanity of the "nuke em all" mentality never ceases to amaze me and the level of ignorance of those who say it is astounding..

[epilepticme]

Too Hell W/ Them:

He is saying that publicly so they stop popping shots @ him... Publicly he will comment but behind close doors he is kissing anyone's ass we tell him to... They are all puppets we put in place.

We should just turn that desert into glass and just end this SHIT once and for all w/ these sand s!!!

The only way to end this shit for good is to walk the fuck outta there and never look back. Preferably sooner rather than later!

[killerweed420]

The only way to end this shit for good is to walk the fuck outta there and never look back. Preferably sooner rather than later!

As Ron Paul said. We marched in there we can march right back out.

[GreenLeaf420]

That's so funny , you actualy believe you get to choose the arseholes that bullshit and rob you.



You wouldn't be talking about the shit that America caused when they invaded a country under false pretences would you ?

The insanity of the "nuke em all" mentality never ceases to amaze me and the level of ignorance of those who say it is astounding..

You mean all those who fought in wars such as Korea Vietnam and or our Troops on the grounds that are their now they are all ignorant?

They are not ignorant they are intelligent and know what's going on. We just only know what the news wants to feed us. As far as pulling out we will suffer and look bad either way. We will be the ones to suffer in the long run if we are present or not.

I do not feel the war ever should have taken place yet everyone was looking to retaliate for 9/11 now we are in a big mess. IRAN is the issue NOW and our troops can not fight 3 wars. I would bet that ISRAEL goes to war w/ Iran w/ in the next year. Who will be there to back them? The good old US for sure....

My Uncle was a Navy Seal and when he breaks down the issues that are taken place. Along w/ the cause and effect of us pulling out and not finishing what was started. He scares the shit out of me. Yes it is easy to say stop the war from our couch or sofa while enjoying our civil liberties. I feel bad for the next President who goes into the white house after this fool George Bush..

Well I'm wiped on the subject but we will remain a target till it is put to a end...