Posted on 11/27/2008 5:24:51 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President George W. Bush on Thursday hailed the Iraqi Parliament's approval of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The agreement, which is expected to be ratified by Iraq's presidential council, will require U.S. combat troops to leave in 2009 and all American troops by the end of 2011.
"Today's vote affirms the growth of Iraq's democracy and increasing ability to secure itself. We look forward to a swift approval by Iraq's Presidency Council," Bush said in a statement.
"Two years ago, this day seemed unlikely - but the success of the surge and the courage of the Iraqi people set the conditions for these two agreements to be negotiated and approved by the Iraqi parliament. The improved conditions on the ground and the parliamentary approval of these two agreements serve as a testament to the Iraqi, Coalition, and American men and women, both military and civilian, who paved the way for this day," he added.
Of the 275 members of the Iraqi parliament, 198 were present and 149 voted in favor of the SOFA. The lawmakers also voted to approve another pact, the Strategic Framework Agreement, that sets the foundation for long-term bilateral relationship with the United States.
The parliament also passed a package of political reforms sought by Sunni Arab leaders in exchange for their support for the SOFA, which requires that American combat forces leave Iraq's cities, villages and localities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. troops from the entire country by December 31, 2011.
The current security agreement mandated by the United Nations for the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq expires on the last day of this year. Negotiations have been increasingly difficult because of politics in what is also an election year in Iraq, as well as concerns among Iraqi officials that the agreement would infringe on Iraqi sovereignty.
But.I thought this war was lost???????????
Absolutely perfect. :)
If the war wasn’t coming to a near end Obama would of pulled out and give Iraq to the terrorist. This news couldn’t have come at a better time....
I disagree...
.that POS hussien obama is going to get all the credit from the criminal liberal media for pulling the troops our and he had nothing to do with any of it...nothing...
Agreed - we need to make sure people remember this was approved under the Bush presidency
We have an enemy and that is the media.
"which requires that American combat forces leave Iraq's cities, villages and localities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. troops from the entire country by December 31, 2011."
Those are hard deadlines. It ought to have been a conditional agreement, with military approval on both sides before any troops are pulled.
I swear, the Iraqis just copied in the Murtha plan, and the U.S. didn't fight it because they wanted something signed before that one takes over.
But no one should be too concerned.. this agreement will last right until they try to haul a GI into an Iraqi court for an after-hours bar fight, or a forced honor marriage, and we send some guys in to get him back.
That’s alright. I served in the Army under both Carter and Clinton. I survived.
Obama will get his just desserts in the end. I have no doubt.
He’s not even been sworn in yet. I’m holding out hope that Hillary! will come through for us and play her hand. As much as I loathe her and Slick, Obama is going to prove much more damaging to our country as a whole.
Ping - Interesting read
A blast from the past.
It’s criminal, all the American blood and treasure has been wasted.
I’m trying to figure out why Bush would agree to a complete withdrawal. We left soldiers in Japan, Germany, Korea, etc., and peace has ensued. In 2008, it was looking more and more peaceful; from an average of around 800 US deaths a year to around 140 (safer than Chicago). Everywhere we have a permanent presence, there is stability and prosperity. Surely Bush had an out somewhere in the SOFA agreement; I just cannot find it yet.
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