UPDATED ON:
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
18:53 Mecca time, 15:53 GMT
News Middle East
Iraq: US pact changes not enough

The agreement faces opposition from the Shia community [AFP]

Iraq's government spokesman has said the United States' offers of changes to a draft security agreement are "not enough" and asked Washington to offer new amendments if it wants the pact to win parliamentary approval.

The comments on Monday by Ali al-Dabbagh were the first by the Iraqis since the US submitted a response last week to an Iraqi request for changes in the draft agreement.

The agreement would keep US troops In Iraq until 2012 and give Iraq a greater role in the management of the US mission.

Al-Dabbagh said his remarks constituted the government response but it had not been officially conveyed to the Americans.

However, on Tuesday Al-Dabbagh told Al Jazeera that there was optimism from Baghdad that a deal with the US would be made.

There was no immediate comment from US officials, who had described the latest draft submitted to the Iraqis as a "final text".

Privately, however, some US officials have said they expect protracted haggling over the agreement, with the Iraqis pressing for more concessions until the last minute.

'Suitable answers'

"There are still some points in which we have not reached a bilateral understanding," al-Dabbagh told the Associated Press news agency.

He said the government was inviting the US "to give answers that are suitable to the Iraqis".

The agreement must be approved by parliament before the Decemeber 31 expiration of the UN mandate that allows US troops to operate legally.

Without an agreement or a new UN mandate, US military operations would have to stop as of January 1, 2009.

Al-Dabbagh did not spell out in detail what points the Iraqis still find unacceptable, but they probably include Baghdad's demand for expanded legal jurisdiction over US soldiers.

The current draft allows Iraqi courts to prosecute soldiers accused of major, premeditated crimes allegedly committed off post and off duty.

The Iraqis had asked for elaboration on those charges and a greater role in determining whether specific cases met the criteria for trial in their courts.

But the agreement faces strong opposition, especially within the majority Shia community which is the base of political support of Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister.

 Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
 
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Feedback Number of comments : 4
 
danny
United States
11/11/2008
Iraq: US pact changes not enough
I say get out now. Iraq will never be satsified no matter what we do. Use that money instead to pay the Native American Indians for the lands which were stolen from them by the U.S Govt. The U.S.A is one of the richest nations on earth but N.AIndians live in abject poverty. The U.S. govt. is attempting to force certain N.A.Indian tribes to accept trivial payments for stolen lands ,natural resources and precious minerals. This is a National and Global disgrace. True freedom escapes our people.

boy_george
Costa Rica
11/11/2008
US pact changes not enough
Al Jazeera, you are incorrectly reporting this news. As if you are implying that the US dictates what should be in the pact. It is the Iraqis that has the right to agree or disagree what is in the pact. Iraqis, fight for your freedom. Don't get misled freedom from democracy. You can have democracy but not freedom

DGS
Canada
11/11/2008
Keepit up Iraq.
I would love to see the Iraqis let the extorted illegal UN mandate expire, and see the US twist in the wind for a while. Beware this Americanese "The current draft allows Iraqi courts to prosecute soldiers accused of major, premeditated crimes allegedly committed OFF POST and OFF DUTY." If another massacure, like so many happens, the US will simply state that Iraq is A POST and US troops in country are ALWAYS ON DUTY. God bless on this day of Rememberence

Uk observer
United Kingdom
11/11/2008
US pact with Iraq
I agree with Danny's comments, but I am a bit surprised that he thinks the Iraqis will not be satisfied no matter what the US does for them. As far as I can see they don't have much to be satisfied about. Their country has been dragged through hell in a handcart and their lives have been completely destroyed by the allied invasion. Still they are never satisfied!!

 
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