US: Iraq security pact can be finalized in July (David Satterfield)

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

BAGHDAD - The State Department's top Iraq adviser says he believes a U.S.-Iraqi security agreement will be finalized by the end of July.

The pact would establish a long-term security relationship between Iraq and the United States. It also would provide a legal basis for keeping American troops in Iraq after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.

The State Department's top Iraq adviser, David Satterfield, says he believes the agreement "can be achieved, and by the end of July deadline." He spoke to reporters in Baghdad.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080610/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=Ar1Ie3MY38lKMjfumYypEwpvaA8F

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Bush administration concedes it may not finish US-Iraq deal before Bush leaves office
Source: AP

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is conceding for the first time that the United States may not finish a complex security agreement with Iraq before President Bush leaves office.

Faced with stiff Iraqi opposition, it is "very possible" the U.S. may have to extend an existing U.N. mandate, said a senior administration official close to the talks. That would mean major decisions about how U.S. forces operate in Iraq could be left to the next president, including how much authority the U.S. must give Iraqis over military operations and how quickly the handover takes place.

The official said the goal is still to have an agreement by year's end. And the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, said he feels no pressure from the U.S. political calendar, and that Dec. 31 is "a clear deadline."

Still, Crocker also said last week: "My focus on this is more on getting it done right than getting it done quick."

more:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3345322&mesg_id=3345322


U.S. seeking 58 bases in Iraq, Shiite lawmakers say
BAGHDAD — Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed "status of forces" agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely.

Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran.

"The points that were put forth by the Americans were more abominable than the occupation," said Jalal al Din al Saghir, a leading lawmaker from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. "We were occupied by order of the Security Council," he said, referring to the 2004 Resolution mandating a U.S. military occupation in Iraq at the head of an international coalition. "But now we are being asked to sign for our own occupation. That is why we have absolutely refused all that we have seen so far."

Other conditions sought by the United States include control over Iraqi air space up to 30,000 feet and immunity from prosecution for U.S. troops and private military contractors. The agreement would run indefinitely but be subject to cancellation with two years notice from either side, lawmakers said.


more:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3345428&mesg_id=3345428


It's like watching ping pong :eyes:

[jaxx]

1. Or which side of their mouths are they lying out of today?

I trust nothing involving this adm.

[ohio2007]

2. Iraqi's say they will vote for an extension of the UN mandate by the end of December before they

sign off on any plan that give$ up that much real e$tate.

[conspirator]

3. NEOCON-OLONIALISM n/t

[maddezmom]

4. Immunity for private guards in Iraq a sticking point: US

Immunity for private guards in Iraq a sticking point: US 29 minutes ago



BAGHDAD (AFP) - Immunity from Iraqi law for foreign private guards is a sticking point in the deal between Washington and Baghdad over long-term US troop presence in the country, a top US official said Tuesday.

"The issue of contractors including (foreign) security contractors is a sensitive one, is a significant one," David Satterfield, the US State Department's top Iraq adviser told reporters in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

"There are outstanding issues, obviously, including issues focused on security side."

The presence of tens of thousands of foreign private security contractors has been heavily criticised, especially after last year's brutal massacre of 17 Iraqis in Baghdad by Blackwater company which offers protection to US officials in Iraq.

These contractors, however, enjoy immunity from Iraqi law. The contract of Blackwater was also recently renewed for another year.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080610/pl_afp/iraquspoliticsmilitary_080610150733