Thread: Iraq and United States sign an Security Agreement

Under Iraq troop pact, U.S. can't leave any forces behind

The status of forces of agreement between the United States and Iraq is now called the withdrawal agreement, and that's exactly what it is: an ultimate end to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.

If Iraq's parliament endorses the agreement, in six weeks American forces would have to change the way they operate in Iraq, and all U.S. combat troops, police trainers and military advisers would have to leave the country by Dec. 31, 2011. President-elect Barack Obama's campaign plan to leave a residual force of some 30,000 American troops in Iraq would be impossible under the pact.

Unless the agreement is amended, which would require the formal written approval of both sides, in three years there no longer would be any legal basis for U.S. armed forces or civilian contractors of the Department of Defense to remain in Iraq.

If Iraq wants American forces to leave earlier, it could terminate the agreement with one year's notice. The United States has the option to do the same.

The American military now can come and go as it pleases in Iraq. It raids homes without judicial approval, controls Iraq's airspace, detains civilians without warrants for as long as it wants and conducts unilateral operations against high-value targets, including a recent cross-border attack on an al Qaida in Iraq member in Syria that was condemned by Iraq, the Arab League and Syria.

The agreement forbids attacks on other countries from inside Iraq, and if it were approved, beginning Jan. 1 all U.S. operations would have to be conducted in cooperation with the Iraqi government.

"It is not permitted to use Iraqi land, water and airspace as a route or launching pad for attacks against other countries," the pact says, according to an Arabic copy that McClatchy obtained.

The military also would have to get arrest warrants from the Iraqi government, judicial orders for raids on homes and to consult in advance on every operation, including the attacks on high-value targets that American forces now routinely conduct on their own.

Privately, U.S. military officials worry about sharing sensitive information with their Iraqi counterparts, out of fear of revealing intelligence sources and methods but also because many officials still suspect that some of the Iraqi security forces are working with Shiite Muslim militias or Sunni Muslim insurgents.

All detainees in American custody who are wanted by the Iraqi government would be handed over based on arrest warrants or else released, and anyone detained by U.S. forces during approved operations if the agreement is implemented next year would have to be handed over to Iraqi authorities within 24 hours.

The Green Zone, where American contractors, some military personnel and officials live and work, would come under Iraqi control on the first day of next year. U.S. soldiers currently protect the area in central Baghdad, and checkpoints are manned by Peruvian mercenaries. State and Defense department officials breeze through the checkpoints, while most Iraqis are subjected to long searches.

American Embassy personnel plan to move to a new embassy compound before the Green Zone is turned over to the Iraqis at the end of the year. The embassy staff members already live in the new 104-acre compound, but most of the offices haven't been moved yet.

Control of Iraqi airspace would be transferred to the Iraqis the day the agreement took effect, and after that the Iraqi government would issue annual permits to all U.S. military aircraft. Currently, the U.S. controls all air traffic over Iraq, including civilian flights, and it could shut down Iraq's airspace. Of course, the Iraqi government could seek American or other help with air traffic control and with the protection of the Green Zone.

In provinces that have been turned over to Iraqi control, U.S. troops couldn't remain in cities, villages or towns after the agreement took effect, and as of June 30, all American combat troops would have to be in agreed-on locations outside populated areas. They'd have no right, beginning next year, to venture off their bases and outposts without Iraqi authorities' approval and cooperation.

While the agreement doesn't give Iraqi officials blanket authority to search U.S. mail and cargo, it does give them the right to "ask the U.S. forces, in their presence" to open containers based on viable intelligence.

The Bush administration refused to meet Iraqi demands for legal jurisdiction over American military personnel, but the agreement does give Iraqi authorities the right to prosecute private contractors, and it leaves a remote possibility that a U.S. service member could be prosecuted in Iraq for major and premeditated crimes.

The Iraqi government would have to request jurisdiction by notifying the U.S. in writing within 21 days of the discovery of a crime, and a joint American-Iraqi committee would decide whether the service member was off- or on-duty, and where he or she would be tried.

"I am deeply troubled by the sections of the agreement that could result in U.S. troops facing prosecution in Iraqi courts," Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "I am also troubled by vague language in the agreement that will likely cause misunderstandings and conflict between the U.S. and Iraq in the future."

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 11/18/2008 | Under Iraq troop pact, U.S. can't leave any forces behind

Beginning of the parliamentary session to discuss the second reading of the Convention on troop withdrawal

Iraq's parliament resumed, on Thursday, its routine work to discuss the second reading of the Convention on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, headed by Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

The meeting, the second reading of the bill Agreement between the Republic of Iraq and the United States on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and organization of its operations during the interim, and the second reading of a bill to ratify the Convention on the strategic framework for the relationship of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America, and the second reading of a bill to the accession of the Republic of Iraq Convention meter, according to the council agenda, as well as the proponents of the second reading of the legal relationship between the legislative and ****utive authority, the Ministry of Displacement and Migration.

Translated version of http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=110785

Zebari: the task of parliament is to ratify the Convention and not discussed

"Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the mission of the House of Representatives ratified the Convention on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and not re-discussed.

Zebari said in a press conference with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini at the Ministry's headquarters in Baghdad that "the task of the House of Representatives ratified the Convention and is not discussed or re-negotiated because the government according to the Constitution is the power broker in the signing of agreements so."

Zebari added that "discussions that have taken place at the House of Representatives yesterday with respect to the Convention adopted in a normal democratic system, not screamed to see the opposition party and a party supporter, but the chances of success in our Parliament for ratification of the Convention is there are still a few days to members of the House of Representatives to resolve this issue,".

The meeting saw the parliament on Wednesday a lot of heated debate and attitudes among the deputies on the Convention on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq on the one hand, and the number of deputies and Foreign Minister Meanwhile, the meeting also witnessed what they described as the Sadrist bloc to "attack" the minister to protect one of her deputies, to develop Beyond matters to the extent that forced President Mahmoud al-Mashhadani to adjourn the meeting to today, Thursday, and announce four blocks occupy 81 parliamentary seats, boycotted parliamentary meetings of the Council.

For his part, he said: "We hope that in the days that the Iraqi parliament to approve the Convention, due in the next two years, however, Iraqis resolution."

He considered that "this new situation in Iraq will open relations with Italian companies in the field of energy, agriculture, infrastructure and transport."

In another part of the conference, Zebari noted that "the Iraqi government's policy of doing the oppression or persecution for Christians and the Government has taken a series of measures to protect them. "

Zebari also said that "was a useful meeting with Italian Foreign Minister in order to follow the invitation of Italian companies to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq and the preservation of civilization and the rehabilitation of the Iraqi museum."

The Italian minister "We are working on rebuilding the Iraqi Almthaf all present in Iraq, and what the artefacts are following any cut has been stolen and we all can do to celebrate them to museums."

Frattini said "We will Mhahdatna full rehabilitation of the existing world cultural heritage in Iraq, starting

National Museum of Baghdad. "

Frantini The minister added that "the Italian Minister of Culture asked me to invite the Iraqi minister to visit Italy to follow up and continue cultural cooperation, as Italy and Iraq are two of the weight of the world in this regard."

Maliki has visited the Italian capital Rome in late July last July, at the head of the delegation of political, security and economic transformation, during which he met Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and a number of Italian officials.

Italy participated in the Iraq war in 2003 and sent to three thousand troops, forming the fourth largest contingent of the State participated in the coalition forces to topple former Iraqi regime, but withdrew its troops from Iraq, another country the end of 2006.

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on the sidelines of the Second International Covenant held in the Swedish capital Stockholm in May thirty last May, the two sides agreed that Italy had provided assistance to Iraq and full implementation of the agreements between the two countries.

Translated version of http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=110766

Zebari: climate prevailing in Parliament with respect to the Convention positive security

Said Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Thursday that the security agreement allowing U.S. troops to stay in Iraq another three years before a chance to get parliamentary approval despite opposition from some spots.

Signed Zebari and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker in Iraq long-awaited Convention on Monday after painstaking negotiations which lasted several months. But the Iraqi parliament debates on the noisy ratified it.

Parliament is expected to vote on the Convention early next week before taking a holiday.

Zebari said at a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, who is visiting Baghdad, "the chances of success in our parliament to ratify the Convention exist. There is still some days task. Gentlemen must be representatives of the people to deduct the subject."

Zebari had said earlier that the atmosphere in Parliament with respect to the Convention security positive.

And I stood by the main political blocs participating in the coalition government headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the Convention, but a radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have fought and Sunni Arab groups and smaller parties reservations.

Zebari guards clashed with Sadr's deputies on Wednesday after a tumultuous session in parliament

The Iraqi foreign minister also that the parliament has the right to approve or reject the Convention, but can not amend.

"The task of the House of Representatives is the ratification of this Convention and is not discussed or re-negotiated because the government according to the Constitution is the only authority in the signing of the agreements ...

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Barzani: Kurds refuse to separate the Kurdistan region of Iraq

Prime territory of Iraqi Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani that "the Kurds refuse to separate the territory of Kurdistan from the rest of Iraq," Iraqi political actors accused unnamed "trying to sabotage relations between the Kurds and the rest of the components of the Iraqi people."

Barzani said in a speech during the memorial ceremony of 150 Kurdish citizens were ****uted by the former regime attended "Uzmatik" today, Thursday, "The Kurds refuse to be separated from the rest of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, indicating that they were" working to create a situation of interdependence between all parts of Iraq ".

Barzani pointed out that the "attempts to sabotage the relationship of brotherhood between Arabs and Kurds by the views of people," stressing that "should not sabotage the Arab-Kurdish brotherhood in order to get some votes."

Barzani explained that "the Kurds demand a federal democratic system in Iraq is to prevent the recurrence of tragedies experienced by the Kurds during the rule of the campaigns of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein," noting that "citizens who are today is a tribute to the memory of the injustice done to the Kurdish people during the previous period."

The Iraqi government found the remains of the dead Kurds buried in mass graves district Alhaidariya province of Najaf, southern Iraq, and provincial authorities took them to be flown to Arbil airport, to re-bury them in their areas of origin.

The Ministry says that the city of martyrs "killed, mostly civilians from the town of Kalar in the province of Sulaymaniyah, were arrested and the process of being liquidated in 1988 in the Anfal military campaigns by the former Iraqi army."

The search for the missing in Iraq has led to the discovery of several mass graves in southern Iraq, which included the remains of thousands of Iraqis who were ****uted by the former Iraqi regime, including A Kurd. And the relations between the Kurdistan region and the central government Helou tension remarkable powers of the size of the territory and contracts for oil, and finally refused to support councils formed in the Kurdish areas in the disputed areas.

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Kurdish leaders accuse Maliki of "breach of the" Constitution

an Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, on Thursday, sharply worded attack on the Kurdish leaders, without that call, accusing it of violating the Constitution.

Maliki expressed surprise at a press conference held today in Baghdad of the "silence" of the Presidency of the Republic what he called "constitutional violations" which he said was committed by "private open offices of diplomatic missions and moving troops to counter the Federal Government forces in the central-controlled areas as well as Support for the tribal councils through state funds and for the benefit of their parties as opposed to the formation of councils backing. "

And the oil contracts between Maliki that "contracts entered into by the Kurdistan regional government with foreign companies, all contrary to the constitution."

Rhetoric has escalated between the Kurdish leadership and on the boards of backing Maliki called for the latter to set up in the province of Kirkuk.

On the changes to the constitution of Iraq, Maliki reiterated his position that calls for a review of the constitution and make amendments by stating that "everyone agreed from the outset on constitutional amendments committee was set up for this purpose and on this basis, the Iraqi Accordance Front, returned to participate in the government," stressing "the importance of holding Amendments to the Constitution. "

He has called in comments made to the amendments to the Constitution as strengthen the authority of the central government, which irritated the Kurdish leaders considered that such steps Thus, opposes the constitution.

With regard to the Convention on the withdrawal of U.S. forces, Maliki asked "I do not know what is the relationship between the demands of some people hear that they consider arguments for not ratifying the Convention on the elimination of the court trying former regime officials and the revocation of accountability and justice law endorsed by the people."

He added: "We say we want a balance in the army, police and this is an internal matter for the relevant Aimit of the Convention, security, or we want a balance in the joint commissions between the American and Iraqi sides, which will be the release of prisoners and talking about Tkachilha on the basis of sectarian and nothing to do with this Convention," he said.

And the position of the four-party alliance between the two main Kurdish parties and the Islamic Dawa Party and the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, Maliki said that "the four-party alliance is still holding the signing of the Convention on the withdrawal of American forces."

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Araji: Convention Arab version with a lot of surprises .."I call on political leaders for review

Rep. Baha Araji from the Sadr bloc, said the political leaders to master the Arabic language well find in the Convention on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, a lot of surprises and disadvantages to the Iraqi people and the political process.

He Araji told the independent press (Iba) on Friday: that the security agreement written in English and translated the promise of the Arabic language, as there is a lot of the problem in the Arabic version, not English only.

And sold: "Although from a reading of the law of treaties and conventions held in the parliamentary session on Thursday, but he did not complete because it requires a lot of discussions, as well as the number of Eda parliamentarians present did not exceed 10%.

"They said: Sadr rejects the agreement in principle why did not agree to discuss it, but discuss problems and defects that made the assignment of the Council of Ministers to the House of Representatives and significant violations of the constitutional, legal and internal order of the House of Representatives (as described).

The Araji: The Presidency of the Council of Representatives and before the completion of the parliamentary session said that they will complete the second reading of the draft agreement on tomorrow, Saturday, a meeting that has not been completed is not a second reading.

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Lahibi rule out ratification of Convention security in Parliament due to lack of time

Deputy Taha Lahibi the Iraqi Accordance Front, despite the second reading of the law on the ratification of treaties and conventions but the law in the case of approval will not be used to sign the Convention on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

The Lahibi, told the independent press (Iba) on Friday: that the law needs approval by the Presidency and then published in the Official Gazette of the ****utive formula.

He continued: "I do not think the Iraqi government and U.S. side have enough time until the law was passed and then ratified by the Presidency therefore Snqa falling into the legal Tmreralagip and how the law will be passed in (a simple majority) or (two-thirds majority).

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Signing of Accordance Front collected (95) supported deputy referendum on the Convention secretary

The Taiseer al-Mashhadani, the Iraqi Accordance Front, the need to hold a referendum on the Convention on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

Said al-Mashhadani told the independent press (Iba) on Friday: call and other calls to hold a referendum on the security agreement so as to sensitivity and importance for the future of Iraq, to be shared, the acceptance or rejection.

Mashhadani shown: that the signing of the Accordance Front collected (95) Vice demanding a referendum on the Convention of different masses.

Mashhadani said: meetings and deliberations are still ongoing between the political blocs to get to a national solution.

Said: "We in the Accordance Front, are against the Convention Convention, but the group has studied the Convention and placed a number of amendments and submitted to the prime minister and the U.S. embassy, and after the arrival of the Convention to the House of Representatives found that 90% of our proposals did not take, and stressed: The front still Had reservations about the security agreement.

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Presidency text of a letter to the Prime Minister on councils support & Maliki's latest remarks

In the Presidency of the Republic a letter to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has spread to read, and publish the text of the press release issued by the Presidency on Maliki's statements

"In the name of God the Merciful
A brother, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki distinguished professor
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings

In the framework to build a constitutional institutions, and after the differences raised in the press about the councils referral, and after a number of demonstrations or supporting Shiites in the number of provinces on this issue, felt that the Presidency Council of its responsibilities to stand up when the subject. And he has decided in its last meeting in November 15, 2008 and unanimously address you stand Kirkni the ****utive branch a common position, as we have done so far, in the basic and important matters concerning our national.

My dear brother .. Did not go in the Presidency, we believe that none of the other institutions such as the ****utive councils of ministers or provincial governors and had not seen - except through press statements and the real targets or policy or process of legal and administrative buildings of those councils in a position to give its opinion on the general question of the state And its institutions and policies. Did not go in the Presidency, we believe that none of the other institutions such as the ****utive councils of ministers or provincial governors and had not seen - except through press statements and the real targets or policy or process of legal and administrative buildings of those councils in a position to give its opinion on the general question of the state And its institutions and policies. Indeed, the whole issue may need to issue a legal legislation from the House of Representatives and is not achieved in turn. What we do know - and is not based only on Asamaiat - is that these councils operating under a committee of national reconciliation.

This, in turn, and the context of unilateral, especially since the short experience has demonstrated that it moved its current discounts to do before worrying reconciliation required. And the interest of us to set things straight and consultation between the institutions of the State in all his powers, we hope you cooperate with us to review the issue to work together in the way of security reform, and mobilize our forces and to the solution of problems and to abandon all together departure from the Constitution and law and order And deviations and errors and imposing policies or de facto, and came from any quarter.

A brother, Prime Minister .. The councils backing the newly formed Initiative does not look like the tribes from Anbar, which started and established the councils referral Sahoat and fought al-Qaeda and al Qaeda specifically. Was an important factor in restoring security and improve .. This is what all of us need to support the rehabilitation and awakening them to the elements of state institutions in accordance with an agreed program .. But if we spend today the formation of councils from the state budget and takes his role does not know the institutional and legal order is needed to stop frivolous. The responsibilities of this work and its consequences fall on us all. And we all know that the number of armed forces of the army and police today is very high, and the first such efforts in raising money and skills and provide possibilities and weapons and promote professional can achieve a state of law and order out of chaos and security and all forms of Chaos and militias, and for any party that was.

A brother, Prime Minister .. Will not object to be held in the framework of tribal institutions of civil society, or any part of another project .. Nor will oppose any initiative to cooperate with public security agencies and intelligence, but we encourage it and we call on him, especially when crises and sharp turns, and when the great dangers threatening the country .. Popular mobilization in tense areas in the war against al Qaeda and terrorism and conflict with the law, and in conditions of crisis and post-crisis not engage in or out of context. But to establish these councils after Aalamnip situation has greatly improved thanks to your efforts and your brothers do not think it's justified. If there is a need for such restructuring in some areas, where security remains under threat, we must agree together to work and policy contexts and Agtith future and the nation can stand all his defenders.

Prime Minister .. With full respect you and respect for the elements that make up these boards and do not doubt that Botunaitha and good intentions, but the constitutional duty requires us to ask you to intervene to whom the orders it to stop these boards until agreement is reached around and cover administrative and legal them. Please accept my best greetings and peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Your Brother, sincere
Jalal Talabani
President of the Republic of Iraq
18-11-2008 "


The name of God the Merciful
A press release issued by the Presidency of the Republic on the remarks Professor Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

Study of the Presidency of the Republic in a meeting on the evening of November 20, 2008 and several important issues including the Convention is intended to be held with the United States .. The nation meetings of the Council of Representatives distinguished in its recent ...

And examined the letter of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a professor and his remarks in a press conference held this afternoon on the same series of issues .. And stopped when the subject is particularly reactions of the book by the official of the Presidium of their boards with regard to backing .. It also stopped at the security situation and developments in the country's political future and the performance of the Government and people, and reviewed the series of meetings with officials and political blocs and the outcome of the five committees that examine political issues and constitutional amendments and economic issues and regional affairs and the controversial security policies and The country's foreign ..It also studied the effects of the deterioration of oil prices and global economic crisis on the budget of Iraq and the level of services in the country and the standard of living of the Iraqi people.

President of the Republic confirmed its previous position on the Convention and believes that the Iraqi negotiator had worked well Blanea also assessed the role of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and will remain the last word, however, representatives of the people to check and review the agreement in the framework of constitutional contexts in force in the pursuit of national consensus to meet the national interests Common.

And statements regarding the Prime Minister, the council had decided not to rush in the commentary to study carefully and to achieve unity and its state institutions and its ... And that the council has confirmed that the media - and with respect for the role and importance - is not the best way and style of controversy between the state institutions. Dealing first is through the official channels of correspondence and reports and meetings and resolutions and other countries, which determine policies and the announcement and follow-up and trading affairs and the affairs of the country. And that the Presidency has already words of writer responsible, polite and gateway, the Prime Minister and briefed the House of Representatives and the judiciary council and provincial councils on the attribution.

And that's the President of the Council of Ministers, which included a lot of jurisprudence and Terms and critical decisions on the official letter destined for statehood, would the Presidency - as the first one - for dissemination to the public to avoid any misunderstanding from public opinion on the exercise of the presidency right, and even Duty to supervise the work of the State and ensure the application of the Constitution and laws.

And the expected final recommendations of the commissions the problem in five subjects referred to it and that would provide serious solutions to a series of files before and importance of codifying these recommendations according to the constitution, and to achieve national consensus and real participation and policies that serve the citizen and the Iraqi people and achieve their aspirations and address The mess, security and political, economic and services.

Finally, and not at least stop the deterioration of the effects of oil prices on the budget and warned Iraq of serious consequences and negative effects that may arise in the process of reconstruction and development, let alone their impact on the level of income and livelihood of the people. This kept the Presidency and the overall economic file and the service open for further research and follow-up with other state institutions to speed up the measures to meet these good developments, including guarding against risks that may affect Iraq and Iraqis, including the well-bumper them.

Baghdad, Nov. 20, 2008

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