"Iraq, U.S. locked in dispute over military handover " Some Sovereignty eh? [View All]

[leftchick]

:eyes:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060903/ts_nm/iraq_dc_32

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Talks between the United States and Iraq over the transfer of operational command of Iraq's armed forces were deadlocked on Sunday, with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki demanding more independence from the U.S. military.

A day after the dispute forced an embarrassing delay of a signing ceremony in Baghdad, an Iraqi Defense Ministry source said disagreements remained over the wording of a document that outlines the new relationship between U.S.-led occupying forces and Iraq's new military.

"There are some disputes between the two parties. We have our own point of view and they have theirs. We want thorough control and want the freedom to make decisions independently," the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Saturday's ceremony to transfer control of Iraq's army from U.S. commander General George Casey to the Iraqi Defense Ministry had been hailed by U.S. officials as a big step towards Iraq taking responsibility for security.