Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi (Iraqiya Party) has issued a statement today in the wake of meeting with US Ambassador James Jeffery, declaring his opposition to renewing the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the US to keep troops in the nation beyond December.
The statement has Hashimi declaring that the “interests of both countries are not to extend or renew the security agreement,” though Ambassador Jeffrey was said to have confirmed the US willingness to keep troops in the nation, or simply training units, or withdraw entirely.
The Bush Administration and the Maliki government agreed to the SOFA in late 2008, though Iraq’s parliament only approved it with the promise of a referendum on the pact (which never came). This codified the continued US occupation through the end of 2011, though by 2009 officials were already openly talking about extending the presence.
The US calls to extend their presence picked up heavily early this year, and officials have repeatedly demanded that Maliki “request” the continued US occupation through 2012 and beyond. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested that the US could remain for “years” to come, despite massive opposition among a number of Iraqi political factions.
Tommorow's headline: After intense US pressure Iraq has decided that it would be in it's best interest if some US troops remain.
HHHMMMMMMmmmmm, Is this a "Check Mate" or another scam to extort more of the U.S.'s dwindled….negative net worth ……….FIAT SCRIPT out of Washington….& us the hapless taxpayerz..
Me thinks Sadr is a patriot and doesn't need to sell out hiz country to "get rich" … But time will tell the tale rather SOON…. Packing time or Pony-up More time……. Which izit…????
The removal of the occupying forces does not preclude the end of the aforementioned gravy-train…The mistaken assumption that Iraq is an "ally" by our esteemed congress will guarantee that a "treaty" will be executed wherein massive sums of "aid" will be allocated, in perpetuity. This guarantee of US taxpayer largess will ensure that the Iraqi ruling elite will act in favor of the US interests – before their own. Riiiiiiight. The American Congress are such dupes.
So, the troops may be gone but the American commitment will continue – in the interest of "rebuilding Iraq", of course.
I don't think congress will let the American taxpayers off that easy. Rebuilding Iraq is not enough for these rapacious neocon warmongers. They can only truely banckrupt us by keeping troops and contractors in there at $1 million dollars a head. The cost of infrastructure building is trivial compared to that.
The last card that US and EU militarism regime are playing is the fact involving themselves in dividing people in Middle East and North Africa.., advertising for a falsified democracy based on their own interests with a twist of being biased in their perceptions. As long as they can proceed with the idea or Obama – Clinton doctrine then the present turmoil in Middle East and North Africa will continue benefiting US and EU militarism regimes.., here Iraqis as many other nations beginning to understand that there is no democracy coming out of EU nor US; therefore, Iraqis and others watching US and EU every move doubting their intentions.., Libyan war is yet another double faced showing the immorality of US – EU regimes and those who are willing to do what it takes to become a member of EU (Turkey) by turning their back on people and not wanting any virtuous peace. So for Iraqi people the time has come to say to US and EU to get out of my country and stay out.., you never been good for our propel and you never will be.
American will get it under different pretext and let people die through their terro and get a reason to remain there.
In every country CIA has developed and recruited so many agents is easier for them to make terror attack any where they want.
The same is true in Pakistan.
Apparently, this guy thinks that he can actually make that decision. Ha ha! Won't be long now before he's whacked by Al CIAduh just like Karzai's relatives and soon, Karzai himself.
america is such a corrupt lawless country they will find or manufacture a situation to stay then Sadr will have a field day in wiping out those invaders one by one
America needs to leave and tell Israel if they attack Iran they are on there own.Russia and china plus most countrys in the middle east will attack for sure.America if it gets involved in another illegal to help Israel with another illegal war we WILL HAVE WW3.its time to worry about getting your country in order ans stop letting anoyer blood thursty country Israel get you into a war you can not afford.And you will be on the wrong side.Grow up there are other people with famillys here to.We need to stop letting Israel drag us into war and start worrying about are kids.Close the setalments make a 2 state solution and America stay out of the mid east.Sounds smart to me.
I like America but hate there government.I hope Ron Paul wins and can avoid being assasinated.If that happens the citizens all including the military need to overthrough the government.Its needed long ago and is the opnly way to prevent WW3 sad it came to this .People need to have better control of there government.Remember you pay them your there boss overthrough them and next time never let them forget it.Remember for the people I do your government dont.And Im Canadian are government needs to obey the majority and not under any circumstance go fight illegal wars.America needs us more thanb we need it we are liked in most countrys because we are peacfull people and are government did to much for America.American citizens are human the government are snakes.