Iraqi Cabinet Approves Security Agreement Keeping Our Troops In Iraq Until 2011

Flopping Aces ^ | 16 Nov ,2008 | Curt

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Iraqi cabinet, in a near-unanimous vote, have approved the security agreement with the US that will keep our forces in that country until the end of 2011.

The decision of the 37-member cabinet, essentially a microcosm of the Parliament, is expected to be a good indicator of whether the agreement will pass. The assembly has not yet announced the date of its vote, but it is scheduled to go into recess on Nov. 24.

The draft approved Sunday requires coalition forces to withdraw from Iraqi cities and towns by the summer of 2009 and from the country by the end of 2011. An earlier version had language giving some flexibility to that deadline, with both sides discussing timetables and timelines for withdrawal, but the Iraqis managed to have the deadline set in stone, a significant negotiating victory. The United States has around150,000 troops in Iraq.

For months, the fate of the pact has been in doubt as Iraqis have pressed for more changes on a variety of issues, including jurisdiction over operations by U.S. troops and the flexibility of the withdrawal date. The United States, which had wanted the pact concluded by midsummer, gave significant concessions. Iraqi officials said minor tweaks were being made as recently as last week.

Under the agreement, U.S. soldiers are still guaranteed immunity except in cases of serious felonies committed while off duty outside their bases.

~~~

[nufsed]

Paging The One.

Remember when he said he'd pull out immediately and then he went to Iraq after McCain chided him into it. Then he changed his position and now this. I hope all the peacniks get a little taste of the realities of war and how you don't just abandon people.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From NY Times:

Iraqi Cabinet Approves Security Pact With U.S.

Members of Iraq’s 37-member cabinet voted on Sunday to approve a security agreement setting conditions for the U.S. presence in Iraq.

*****************************EXCERPT************************

By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON

Published: November 16, 2008

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi cabinet voted overwhelmingly Sunday to approve the security agreement that sets the conditions for the Americans' continued presence in Iraq from Jan. 1 until the end of 2011.

All but one of the 28 cabinet ministers who attended the two-and-a-half-hour session voted for the agreement and sent it to Parliament for consideration, a huge relief to the United States, which had been in intense negotiations with the Iraqis for nearly a year.

The United Nations Security Council resolution that allows U.S. troops to operate in Iraq expires Dec. 31, and, without an extension of the resolution or a separate agreement with the Iraqis like that approved by the cabinet on Sunday, forces of the U.S.-led coalition would have no legal mandate to operate.

“This is the best available alternative,” the Iraqi government spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, said shortly after the vote. “We have always said this is not a perfect solution for the Iraqi side and it is not a perfect solution for the American side. But it is a procedure which was forced by circumstances and necessity.

“This is the time after the progress in the security situation to transfer the security file to the Iraqi side, step by step.”

[avacado]

" I hope all the peacniks get a little taste of the realities of war and how you don't just abandon people."

This will be interesting. Does Obama the non-decision maker attempt to appease the anti-war left and pull out of Iraq, or does he follow the path that GWB set forth? Popcorn time!

[Allegra]

We've all been on pins and needles about that damn SOFA.

Let's get it signed off, Iraq, so we can keep moving you forward toward strength and complete independence.

[nufsed]

He will have no choice. Our commitment and the events themselves will dictate his decision.

The people who voted for him to pull out immediately and then saw Hillary lose the nomination are just as stupid as they come. Then he just changed his mind. Instead of demonstrating against his flip-flop, they voted for him.

Contrast that with McCain who had a position and stayed buy it, even when he was carrying his own bags at the airport.

[Allegra]

...and then he went to Iraq after McCain chided him into it.

Yeah, in July when it was about 115 F. Heh!

[nufsed]

Changed......................his clothes.

[Justa]

Out of the cities and towns by the Summer of ‘09 = massive withdrawl beginning in the Spring at the latest.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BBC Report:

Iraq cabinet backs US troops deal

Wonder where al-Sadr stands on the agreement?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More from BBC:

Iraq pact raises withdrawal hopes

*******************************EXCERPT************************

By Andrew North
BBC News, Baghdad

US President-elect Barack Obama supports a troop pullout by 2010

Just over three years from now, all US forces could be out of Iraq, if the Iraqi-US security pact finally comes into force.

It will also give the Iraqi authorities much greater say over what American forces do in the meantime.

With the Iraqi cabinet vote on Sunday, it has passed its first hurdle and now goes to the Iraqi parliament.

It has to be approved by the end of the year, when the UN mandate covering the presence of US and other troops ends.

In effect, this is now a deadline for both sides - for the Americans to get out and the Iraqis to take full responsibility for security.

It has come after months of difficult negotiations between Washington and Baghdad.

Staged withdrawal

The first stage will be for American troops to pull back to bases outside Iraqi cities, by the middle of next year.

[BIGLOOK]

Of course, Ernest.....their lives depend on it.

[Allegra]

Out of the cities and towns by the Summer of ‘09 = massive withdrawl beginning in the Spring at the latest.

In our meetings, we've been told that this means they will move to bases in outlying areas. Renovations and expansions have already begun on some of the smaller bases on the outskirts of town, as well as at Camp Victory to accommodate more troops.

In our last meeting on this a few days ago, it was said the forces located in the IZ will have until the end of '09 to move out. I don't know if that's been changed yet. Of course, that massive embassy is here.

I do know that if I decide to stay past spring of '09 when my current commitment is up, I'll be moving at some point. Probably to Victory. :)

[Allegra]

Wonder where al-Sadr stands on the agreement?

Oh, I'm sure he's furious. He hasn't wanted anything signed at all.

His minions have been staging protests just outside the IZ every Friday. We hear them chanting stuff and the leaders hollering angrily through bullhorns.

Fortunately, these protests have only been noisy. No violence.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well, that’s an improvement!

[Marine_Uncle]

"Wonder where al-Sadr stands on the agreement?"
I believe the answer to your question is in the article:

But the pact has drawn fire from hardline nationalists, especially Iraq's influential Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, whose supporters have called for mass demonstrations to oppose any agreement with the US "occupier".
It was expected the fat boy would continue his objections to US and other foreign troops staying on a few more years.