Iraq minister: US troops will pull out in three years unde deal - Times Online - The Diigo Meta page

• 14 Aug 08
  

  NC
  • “This is not a recolonisation as some of our critics say, or another Anglo-Iraqi treaty of the 1930s that will bind Iraq.” The terms of the deal can be reviewed within one or two years, subject to the approval of both sides - which ensures that the next US Administration will not be bound by the conditions.
  • Mr Zebari said that the agreement also made no provision for permanent US military bases in the country - a point of contention for the Iraqi public.
  • The “time horizon” for the exit of US troops would depend upon the ability of the Iraqi police and army to maintain security gains in Iraq after a surge of US forces in 2007 helped to push violence to its lowest levels in 4½ years.
  • “We are talking about combat troops, maybe in 2010-11, there could be drawdowns,” Mr Zebari said, confirming that this was referred to in the draft accord.
  • “The idea is really to keep these forces outside the main cities, the population centres. It doesn't mean that they could not enter or come through,” the Foreign Minister said.

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• 13 Aug 08
  

  liveinfreedom .

  American soldiers will withdraw from cities across Iraq next summer and all US combat troops will leave the country within three years, provided the violence remains low, under the terms of a draft agreement with the Iraqi Government.

  unde combat pentagon iraq military withdraw troops us u.s.a.

  • The strategic framework provides a legal basis for US forces in Iraq after a UN mandate expires at the end of the year - another contentious notion for the many Iraqis who oppose the continuing presence of foreign troops.
  • The Iraqi Government must also sign a status-of-forces agreement with Britain and all other countries with troops in Iraq.

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