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Washington currently hopes to sign a controversial Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Baghdad to give legal basis to its military and political presence in war-torn Iraq after December 31 when the UN mandate defining its status expires.
While there have been indications that the pact may conditionally require US troops stationed in Iraq to leave the country by the end of 2011, it does not necessitate a withdrawal unless Baghdad can fully restore stability in the country. Under the provisions of the agreement, Baghdad will also be required to allow American bases in the country and immunity from prosecution for all US personnel. "The security agreement between Washington and Baghdad will harm the Iraqi nation; America only pursues its own interests," said Salah al-Obeidi, the chief spokesman for Iraq's Sadr movement, in an interview with Aswat al-Iraq. The spokesman also expressed doubt over US commitment to the discussed provisions in the security pact. "Will America even commit itself to the deal, regarding which discussions are currently taking place?" While Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmud Mashhadani has declared that no official is allowed to sign the deal without parliamentary approval, a leaked draft of the deal indicates that the US may have plans to bypass the process without the approval of the law-making body. The draft would allow Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to accept the agreement without referring it to Parliament first. The current draft also contains no deadline for the withdrawal of "non-combat" personnel and is seen as an attempt to infringe on Iraq's sovereignty. This comes as Nouri al-Maliki himself has been increasingly assertive on the question of setting a "firm" timeline for the withdrawal of US troops and has also fought back over the issue of immunity. Other politicians have been even more forceful. Iraqi Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi has said that his country does not need an agreement that does not guarantee its sovereignty while also noting that Washington-Baghdad negotiations had stalled. "The US negotiating team has been trying to exercise its power while dealing with Iraq. Baghdad has been the underdog in the negotiations," explained al-Obeidi. "The previous draft agreement presented by the US contained provisions infringing on Iraqi sovereignty and shows Washington's approach on the matter." On Friday, Iraqis took to the streets in several cities, including Kufa, Najaf, Basra and Sadr City to denounce the open-ended deal. Source: Press TV
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