BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's stance in
negotiations with the U.S. over the country's security has been getting tougher,
a trend obviously seen when a Iraqi security officer demanded a definite
deadline of U.S. troops' withdrawal.
Iraq will reject any security pact with the United
States unless a specific date for withdrawal of U.S.-led troops is set, Iraqi
national security advisor Muwafaq al-Rubaie said in Najaf on Tuesday.
Iraq's President Nuri al-Maliki speaks
during a visit to Kerbala, 80 km southwest of Baghdad, June 20, 2008.
(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo
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"Our stance in the negotiations with the Americans
will be strong. We will not sign any memorandum of understanding without
specifying a date for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq," al-Rubaie
told reporters in the Shi'ite holy city.
As security conditions in Iraq improve, the Iraqi
government's stance in negotiations with the U.S. have become tougher.
al-Rubaie's remarks were the toughest since the beginning of negotiations on a
security pact between the two countries in March, analysts say.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki publicly
announced Monday that his country was seeking a timeline for the withdrawal of
U.S. troops.
"The current trend is to reach either a memorandum of
understanding for the departure of the troops, or a memorandum of understanding
for setting a timetable for their withdrawal," al-Maliki said during a meeting
with a group of Arab ambassadors in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab
Emirates,
Baghdad and Washington are currently holding talks
aimed at reaching a deal on continued U.S. military presence in Iraq after a UN
mandate expires in December.
A U.S. soldier of the 2nd Brigade, 1st
Armored Division looks at an Iraqi woman waiting in front of a police
station in Baghdad's Sadr City July 9, 2008. Iraq will not accept any
security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the
withdrawal of foreign forces, the government's national security adviser
said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
The security pact, also known as Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA), has to be signed by the end of July according to a declaration
of principles agreed upon by U.S. President George W. Bush and al-Maliki last
November.
Some observers point out that the Iraqi government
has hardened its position in recent days because it thinks the Bush
administration is eager to sign an agreement before the November elections,
which could give Iraq a chance to win a better deal.
The Bush administration has repeatedly rejected calls
for any specific withdrawal timetable.
The White House responded to al-Maliki's comments
Monday by saying the talks were aimed at reaching an agreement on a framework
for future U.S.-Iraqi relations rather than a "hard date" for U.S. withdrawal
from Iraq.
U.S. soldiers discuss their mission
under the Cross Sabers monument at the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad
July 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
The
U.S. State Department also rejected Iraq's demand to set a timetable for a
pullout, emphasizing that the withdrawal of its troops will be based on ground
conditions.
"The U.S. government and the government of Iraq are
in agreement that we, the U.S. government, we want to withdraw, we will
withdraw. However, that decision will be conditions-based," State Department
spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.
"We're looking at conditions, not calendars here," he
said.
Apart from the difference of opinion on a specific
withdrawal timetable, controversy in either country about the contents of a
likely agreement has further complicated the ongoing talks.
Iraq's Deputy Parliament Speaker Khalid al-Attiya
said any deal reached by the Iraqi government must be approved by deputies and
the document will probably be rejected if American troops are immune from Iraqi
law.
According to the Iraqi constitution, any national
agreement needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament, he
pointed out.
However, it seems unacceptable to the U.S. to let its
soldiers be subject to Iraqi law, analysts say.
Washington has SOFA pacts with many countries, which
exempt U.S. troops from trial or prison terms abroad.
Meanwhile, control of military operations and
airspace, as well as detention of prisoners are all bones of contention between
the two nations.
WASHINGTON, July 9 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. military commander said on Wednesday that the U.S. troops in Iraq would finish security operation by mid 2009, but he also noted need for long-term help to Iraq.
"The ground forces will mostly be done by the middle of next year," Army Lt. Gen. James Dubik said at a hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, adding that could be between April and August. Full story
WASHINGTON, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki's public demand for the U.S. troops withdrawal timetable from the
country fueled on Tuesday the debate between Democratic presidential candidate
Barack Obama and his Republican rival John McCain on Iraq policy.
McCain insisted that any further withdrawal of U.S.
troops in Iraq should be based on security situation on the ground. Full story
WASHINGTON, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on
Tuesday the withdrawal of its troops in Iraq will be based on conditions on the
ground and rejected the Iraqi demand to set a timetable for a pull-out.
"The U.S. government and the government of Iraq are
in agreement that we, the U.S. government, we want to withdraw, we will
withdraw. However, that decision will be conditions-based," State Department
spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.
"We're looking at conditions, not calendars here,"
Gallegos said, adding that the United States is committed to
departing. Full story
BAGHDAD, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's National Security
Advisor Muwafaq al-Rubaie said Tuesday that his country will reject any security
pact with the United States unless a specific date for withdrawal of U.S.-led
troops is set, according to reports from the holy city of Najaf.
"Our stance in the negotiations with the Americans
will be strong. We will not sign any memorandum of understanding without
specifying a date for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq," Rubaie told
reporters in Najaf. Full story
