UPDATED ON:
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
21:19 Mecca time, 18:19 GMT
 
News Middle East
US 'to stay in Iraq until 2011'
The US currently has 147,000 troops
stationed in Iraq
[EPA]

Iraq and the US have finalised a draft agreement that would permit the US military to remain in the country until 2011.

The proposed deal, annocuned on Wednesday, would also allow - with certain conditions -Iraq to try American troops charged with committing crimes in the country.

Baghdad will be given the initial chance to prosecute US personnel and Pentagon contractors accused of crimes occurring outside US bases and when off duty.

The deal also states that US troops should leave Iraqi cities by the end of June 2009 and withdraw entirely from Iraq entirely by December 31, 2011, unless Baghdad requests that they stay longer.

Ali al-Dabbagh, an Iraqi government spokesman, said: "The withdrawal is to be achieved in three years.

"In 2011, the government at that time will determine whether it needs a new pact or not, and what type of pact will depend on the challenges it faces."

Iraqi law

Concerning the immunity os US personnel from prosecution, al-Dabbagh said: "Inside their bases, they will be under American law.

"Iraqi judicial law will be implemented in case [where] these forces commit a serious and deliberate felony outside their military bases and when off duty."

Under the draft the US does have the right to primary prosecution of troops and contractors who are undertaking military missions.

The Iraqi parliament and cabinet must pass the draft before the end of this year, when the current UN mandate expires.

Intense debate

The pact deciding how long troops would be allowed to stay in Iraq had been debated for months, with the right to prosecute emerging as the main sticking point.

The US had demanded exclusive jurisdiction over prosecution, but Baghdad said this undermined Iraq's sovereignty.

A deal is needed in order for the US military to have a legal basis to remain in Iraq.

The US currently has 147,000 troops in Iraq who rarely leave their bases unless on an authorised mission.

Yet, incidents have occurred of US troops committing crimes, including the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, and the murder of her  family, in south Baghdad in 2006.

Four US soldiers pleaded guilty to the crimes in military courts.

 Source: Agencies
Feedback Number of comments : 14
 
David Salmon
United States
16/10/2008
Not to disagree and all
but the reality is this: US soldiers are sent to war under the express promise and expectation that, should any questions arise concerning their conduct while performing their mission, they will be treated and judged in accordance with US law. It is a matter of fundamental fairness to the soldier. The rest is just political hoorawing.

Noliving
United States
16/10/2008
Oh please chris
The international criminal court is a treaty court. Why should the US hand its soldiers to be tried under a treaty court? That court isn't a true international court in that it has jurisdiction over everysingle nation whether they signed the treaty or not. Forcing states to recognize a treaty court is a violation of their sovereignty. If war crimes are being committed, then they have to brought up. Haditha massacre along with those in Abu Ghraib prison have been prosecuted.

mike
United States
16/10/2008
what about Iraq?
Ok, so now they feel all powerful by wanting to prosecute Americans and civilian contractors for crimes while off duty. What about Iraqis that commit crimes against Americans? If a soldier is killed by an Iraqi while off duty, does that give his wife the right to sue the Iraqi government? Remember it is a 2-way street. Control your own people before wanting to prosecute others.

Noor
South Africa
16/10/2008
US TO STAY IN IRAQ until the end of time
US hanged Saddam Hussein. Caught him and killed him! Now, what more? Why do they want war until 2011? I don't believe that. They're going to stay at war until God takes over the world! This universe belongs to God and none other! George Bush wants the land and oil. He will NEVER WIN! Soldiers are dying and most of them are suffering mentally. That will carry on until the END OF TIME!

Warren Tarrer
United States
16/10/2008
Re. David Salmon
US soldiers are, or at least used to be when I was one, also instructed on Geneva & the treatment of civilians under international law. Status of Forces agreements (esp. under threat of armed occupation) are attempts to circumvent said Laws & Conventions. In my view, every US serviceman in uniform since the invasion is a war criminal or an accessory crimes committed & should be investigated FROM THE TOP DOWN by the ICC. Every man who pulls a trigger is responsible for where the bullet goes.

George Washington
Afghanistan
15/10/2008
one incident
After all these many years of war the media can only come up with *ONE* case where the Iraqi govt may be able to prosecute under the new law. Iraqi sovereignty is a joke, you cannot have "sovereignty" over much of anything when a foreign occupation force is the only thing holding your country together.

Mike pdx
United States
15/10/2008
finally
Praise the forces at power that have allowed Iraq the "right" to prosecute US troops who have committed crimes in their country. Anything else would be hypocrisy. My countries actions in the last 8 years have lead me to question a great deal of things but none more so than our intentions in Iraq and the middle east. It is high time for change and I think the Iraqi people deserve it for the position in which we have left their country.

Chris
Afghanistan
15/10/2008
When are US soldiers going to be off base when their not on duty....perusing the Bagdhad night life???? come on people. US soldiers and their commanders need to be charged for war crimes committed while on duty, by the Iraqis or by the international criminal court which the US refuses to recognize. THat would be something approaching a weak definition of sovereignty.

omar
Afghanistan
16/10/2008
2011 is a long way off. No one, least of all a bankrupt US or their puppets can control what is going to happen between now and then. Wait for the next wave of violence

mervedev29
Russian Federation
16/10/2008
US pullout
I just hope that the US will be true to their words because these people have already lost credibility and social status around the world.

boy_george
United States
16/10/2008
US to stay in Iraq umtil 2011
How much more damage does the US want to do? Why don't they go home now and leave Iraq alone? Why wait until 2011? Iraqis don't want arrogant Americans in their soil.

Bigmel1981
Malaysia
16/10/2008
US to stay in Iraq until 2011
The security situation will be even worst now. The time frame is for pure invasion and the stealing of wealth. Suck their resources until 2011 at then dump them and leave. What a PLAN.

Maurice Heaphy
Iraq
18/10/2008
WMD
How could anybody in their right mind ever believe what America says. Leave by 2011? do you honestly believe that, Liars they have no Intention of ever pulling out of that country. They do whatever they like Whenever they like and Whereever they like. As they say, ( Lets Kick Ass ) Ignorant and Arrogant is what they are. Get out of everyones Country that you occupy, and sort your own one out. Its in a proper state. You have no Business there, and the People( DONT WANT YOU SO GO )

shawn correa
United States
27/10/2008
insanity
why withdraw 2011? their will only be more lives lost and the situation will never get better. we are only their for the oil but the money in the united states is going down and our economy is going down the drain. GET OUT OF IRAQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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