Iraqi Parliament Debate on Pact Erupts in Chaos

The Iraqi Parliament’s debate on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was expected to be contentious, but it would have been difficult to envision just how contentious things ended up today. Influential Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s parliamentary bloc had firmly opposed the SOFA from the beginning, and loudly forced an adjournment as the SOFA was being read to parliament.

Lees verder bij AntiWar.com

General in Iraq: Deal letting U.S. troops stay may break down

SAMARRA, Iraq | In a blunt assessment, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, said Thursday that there is a 20 percent to 30 percent chance that the United States and Iraq won't reach a deal to allow U.S. troops to operate in Iraq past Dec. 31.

Lees verder

U.S. official issues a blunt warning on security pact

The chairman, Admiral Mike Mullen, also pointedly accused Iran of working to undermine efforts to negotiate and approve a status of forces deal.

Speaking to reporters in Riga, Latvia, Mullen said he respected the need for Iraqis to engage in "a healthy debate" over important issues of sovereignty, such as the Dec. 31 expiration date of the UN Security Council Resolution authorizing the American-led military effort.

"But we are clearly running out of time" he warned. He said he was "increasingly concerned" about the sharp public criticisms within Iraq of the proposed text.

Indeed, his remarks came amid reports that the Iraqi cabinet had decided Tuesday to ask the United States for unspecified changes in the draft security pact that would allow U.S. troops to remain in Iraq for another three years.

Lees verder op IHT

Iraq's Nouri Maliki breaking free of U.S.

BAGHDAD -- Once dependent on American support to keep his job, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has consolidated power and is asserting his independence, sharply reducing Washington's influence over the future of Iraq.

Iraq's police and army now operate virtually on their own, and with Washington's mandate from the United Nations to provide security here expiring in less than four months, Maliki is insisting on imposing severe limits on the long-term U.S. military role, including the withdrawal of American forces from all cities by June.

Lees verder op LA Times

Turkish newspaper reveals Maliki’s wait-game

Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyat [via alriyadh] revealed why Maliki is playing a time game and why the Kurds want to sign the agreement as soon as possible:

Iraqi government asked both Turkey and Iran to provide written guarantees on security cooperation with Iraq, in exchange for abandoning the security agreement the U.S.

The newspaper uncovered, that Baghdad is waiting for answers from Tehran and Ankara, and will cancel the whole idea of the agreement in case Iran and Turkey provide such guarantees.

Uruknet

This actually means that US military presence would no longer be necessary. If it ever was. It also means that a US/Israeli attack on Iran would become virtually impossible, without upsetting Nato-partner Turkey, and without sparking a major new wave of violence and political instability in Iraq.

Let's just hope no 'incident' will happen in the near future, to prevent this deal from happening.