Iraq's al-Maliki wants short-term US agreement - The Diigo Meta page

• 07 Jul 08
  

  liveinfreedom .

  ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iraq has proposed a short-term memorandum of understanding with the United States rather than trying to hammer through a formal agreement on the presence of U.S. forces, the country's prime minister said Monday.

  iraq war withdrawal maliki agreement short term

  • Some type of agreement is needed to keep U.S. troops in Iraq after a United Nations mandate expires at year's end.
  • "The goal is to end the presence" of foreign troops, said al-Maliki.
  • At the same time, however, Zebari said that if the two sides could not agree, Iraq would either have to seek an extension of the U.N. mandate or pursue the type of memorandum of understanding that al-Maliki announced Monday.
  • The contentious issues are U.S. authority to carry out military operations in Iraq and arrest the country's citizens, plus legal immunity for private contractors and control of Iraqi air space.
  • Zebari said the U.S. had agreed to drop immunity for private contractors and give up control of Iraqi air space if the Iraqis guaranteed they could protect the country's skies with their limited air force.
  • The Iraqi government's decision to push the U.S. for a less formal agreement comes at a time when the government feels increasingly confident about its authority and improved stability in the country.

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