Iraqis may offer US deal to stay longer

Assoc Press ^

[SoldierMedic]

BAGHDAD -- Iraq's government is prepared to offer the U.S. a long-term troop presence in Iraq and preferential treatment for American investments in return for an American guarantee of long-term security including defense against internal coups, The Associated Press learned Monday.

The proposal, described to the AP by two senior officials familiar with the issue, is one of the first indications that the United States and Iraq are beginning to explore what their relationship might look like, once the U.S. significantly draws down its troop presence.

The Iraqi officials said that under the proposed formula, Iraq would get full responsibility for internal security and American troops would relocate to bases outside the cities. Iraqi officials foresee a long-term presence of about 50,000 U.S. troops, down from the current figure of over 160,000.

[goldstategop]

I like it. We're still in Germany, Japan and South Korea. We will be in Iraq for a very long time. If a Democrat gets elected President, there will be a drawdown of troops but we will still keep a substantial force in Iraq in defined locations. That is a fact.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[SoldierMedic]

I like how the Iraqis are going to ask us to stay.

Really deals a serious blow to the claim that the Iraqis all want us to leave.

[Bitsy]

I like it. We’re still in Germany, Japan and South Korea. We will be in Iraq for a very long time. If a Democrat gets elected President, there will be a drawdown of troops but we will still keep a substantial force in Iraq in defined locations. That is a fact.

I like it too. Maybe now the big mouth liberals will shut up. Nothing like money to keep libs happy.

[kabar]

The AP is now raising this issue to stir the pot for the Dems. The war is going well, so the MSM has to divert attention from success and focus on this issue, knowing full well that the public would like to see us out of Iraq even those who want victory and the mission accomplished.

I agree that our long term presence is both desired and necessary given the strategic importance of the region and Iran's desire to acquire nuclear weapons. I am sure the Saudis and others in the Gulf would like us to stay as well.

[Non-Sequitur]

We're still in Germany, Japan and South Korea.

Last time I checked the governments in Germany, Japan, and Korea weren't depending on us protecting them from their local populace. It is a sad fact that all that we have accomplished on the battlefield and all the good will we've built up with the Iraqi people can all be pissed away in an instant by that miserable mess of an Iraqi government. And if we agree to prop it up then there's no reason for them to change. We've got the insurgents on the run, the Iraqi army is standing up, the people are beginning to see the fruits of all the labor and are cooperating with the U.S. forces like never before, the next thing to be done is a thorough house-cleaning of the al Maliki government. Otherwise all could be for naught.

[DGHoodini]

...internal coups???...Who could they possibly mean? >8o)

[mainerforglobalwarming]

I hope they give us cheap oil.

[MrLee]

And, we’re going to get lots of oil at what price?

[joseph20]

"And if we agree to prop it up then there's no reason for them to change. We've got the insurgents on the run, the Iraqi army is standing up, the people are beginning to see the fruits of all the labor and are cooperating with the U.S. forces like never before, the next thing to be done is a thorough house-cleaning of the al Maliki government."

Isn't that up to the Iraqi people, when they vote?

[DGHoodini]

It’s not the general populace they are worried about. It’s the armed militias..many who have uncomfortably close ties to Irans’ Hardliners.

[VictoryGal]

> I like how the Iraqis are going to ask us to stay.

Well, it’s about time they made this quite clear.

I’ve been a bit honked off that the leadership has in the past damaged our efforts by making announcements that we need to leave. It is definitely at the point that if they want our help they need to really step up and say so, as well as start cooperating among themselves to build up their country.

So I am quite glad to see this announcement.

[goldstategop]

Actually its the opposite. The locals decided they want us around to protect them from Al Qaeda and to run interference with their own government. Plus they're beginning to realize keeping Americans around is good for business. After awhile, no one thinks of it as an occupation and no country has ever asked us to leave and we would be gone from Germany, Japan and South Korea if the host governments requested us to go. They haven't.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Tennessean4Bush]

I like it if they pay for it. They should be flush with cash and most of their Sadaam debt forgiven. We have not charged them for the cost of the war (not saying we should), but the least they could do is pay us for this, and buy a bunch of our weapons for the next 50 years.

[Sacajaweau]

There's an obvious reality to this. Then there are the Dems who don't deal with realities.

The Middle East has been a problem since I was a little girl. Problems don't go away by putting your head in the sand.

[Centurion2000]

BAGHDAD - Iraq's government, seeking protection against foreign threats and internal coups, will offer the U.S. a long-term troop presence in Iraq in return for U.S. security guarantees as part of a strategic partnership, two Iraqi officials said Monday.

Interesting. Iraq, the West Germany of the Middle East.

[DGHoodini]

I like your point,and think they have much validity. but it’s not accurate in it’s absoluteness. The Phillipenes asked us to leave..We left...Can’t really say they’ve benefited greatly from it. In fact, they seem to be wracked with a great deal *more* internal strife, and a stagnating economy since we’ve pulled out.

[Centurion2000]

and no country has ever asked us to leave

Well, there was the naval base in the Phillipines ... Subic Bay?

[Non-Sequitur]

After awhile, no one thinks of it as an occupation and no country has ever asked us to leave and we would be gone from Germany, Japan and South Korea if the host governments requested us to go. They haven't.

We were in Germany, Japan, and Korea for 50 years because of the Soviet Union and no other reason. We were not there to protect the local populace from their government. If that is our purpose in remaining in Iraq then sooner or later we're going to be caught between the two.

[avacado]

"The Middle East has been a problem since I was a little girl. Problems don't go away by putting your head in the sand."

Yep, the M.E. has been a problem since I was a little kid and I think Bush just may have solved a chunk of it. From a strategic standpoint, being based in Iraq is pure genius. Add to that that we now have an Iraqi government that we are allies with and that is even more genius.