Iraqi Pols Approve U.S. Troop Pact

After Concessions, Sunni Bloc Backs Measure To Keep Forces In Country 3 More Years

(CBS/AP)  The Iraqi parliament approved Thursday a security pact with the United States that allows American troops to stay in the country for three more years.

The Iraqi government's Shiite bloc reached an agreement earlier in the day with a group of mostly Sunni lawmakers to secure the measure's passage.

In exchange for their vote, the Sunnis won a major concession from the pact's staunch supporters; a national referendum will be held on the agreement.

Salim Abdullah, the spokesman for the largest Sunni bloc in parliament, earlier confirmed that a deal was reached and that his 44-seat bloc, the Iraqi Accordance Front, would support the security pact in Thursday's vote.

He said the agreement met the demand by his bloc and smaller groups that a referendum on the pact be held by July 30. That means the deal could be approved by Parliament, but torpedoed by a "no" vote in the referendum.

Shiite lawmakers Khalid al-Attiyah, Sami al-Askari and Ali al-Adeeb told the Associate Press that the deal did not include two other key Sunni demands: the repeal of a law designed to weed out former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party, and the dissolution of a special court that tried the dictator and top officials of his regime. Saddam was sentenced to death and executed in 2006.

The security pact meets an Iraqi goal of a clear timetable for the departure of American forces and has been described by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as a path toward full sovereignty for Iraq.

White House press secretary Dana Perino called the vote "an incredible success story for our military and for the Iraqi Security Forces."

"The June 2009 date is consistent with the Joint Campaign Plan, and the end of 2011 date should give U.S. forces and the ISF enough time to solidify gains made in the last year," Perino added.

But CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reported from Baghdad that, while most military analysts say the Iraqis are not ready to take over security duties yet, there is broad recognition that the national forces have made huge strides in the last year.

One small but symbolic piece of evidence of that improvement came Thursday as U.S. troops at Falcon Base, south of Baghdad, enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast - alongside their Iraqi counterparts.

Palmer reports that mistrust between American and Iraqi troops is genuinely starting to melt away as they work more closely together.

With the Status of Forces agreement specifying that, essentially, U.S. troops will be confined to their bases in Iraq as of June 2009, those Iraqi counterparts are now mere months away from taking the lead.

The parliamentary debate over the proposal was subsumed by sectarian-based disputes among political factions that have stalled efforts to achieve national reconciliation nearly six years after Saddam's ouster. The haggling among political factions delayed the vote, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday.

Iraq's Shiites and Kurds, who comprise about 80 percent of Iraq's 27 million people, were the target of massacres and other atrocities under Saddam's Sunni-dominated regime. Grievances run deep, and caving in to Sunni demands on the special court and the Baathist law could have produced voter backlash ahead of provincial and general elections in 2009.

Lawmakers were under additional pressure to vote on the security pact because the legislature is expected to go into recess in the next few days because of an Islamic holiday.

Now that parliament has approved the pact, it must be ratified by the Presidential Council, whose three members each have veto power.

The U.N. mandate governing the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq expires Dec. 31, and the pact will provide legal cover for the troops to remain.

Under the deal, U.S. forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30 and the entire country by Jan. 1, 2012. Iraq will also have strict oversight over U.S. forces. The U.N. mandate that currently governs American troops gives them freer rein, leading to Iraqi complaints that they are an occupying force intent on preserving U.S. interests in the Middle East.

Earlier, al-Maliki's ruling coalition appeared to be assured of a slim majority in the legislature of about 140 seats. But he sought a bigger win that transcends religious and sectarian divisions and reinforces the legitimacy of the pact. He achieved that wide margin with the Sunni bloc's votes.

The wide margin met the demands of the country's most influential Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who had indicated that the deal would be acceptable only if passed by a comfortable majority. The cleric is revered by Iraq's majority Shiites, and he could have sunk the deal if he had publicly spoken against it.

[tommygun083]

The people in Iraq should wait until after the change of power in the white house and then deal directly with the new president. They can then throw out the stooges that have been appointed to run their country and negotiate an immediate withdrawal of the occupying forces. Any agreement reached while the country is being occupied cannot be considered binding.

[cbs_oliver]

Seems like they approved a referendum rather than approved the treaty.

No problems anyway. The UN Security Council (the only part that actually matters) is our sock puppet.

[intheshade-2009]

Thanks to the US Army, the Iraqi people don%u2019t have much to be thankful for.

[impeach___w]

Who''s responsible for Irai airspace? Isreal attacking Iran tonight?

[riddelup]

The checks must have cleared.

[hotpaulie]

The chaos will resume...

[biap64]

Unbelieveable that people are still unwilling to understand what a true success Iraq is turning out to be. Iraq is changing very fast and within 5 years will legitimately be the most prosperous and powerful country in the region. How anyone can witness what is democracy in action in a country with no history of it and not be amazed is beyond me.

[ajayvee]

Al-Maliki''s next job is to make sure the referendum is held only about 3 months before this deal expires. I mean, if you''re selling out your country, you might as well do it right. And then 3 years down the road Mr. al-Maliki can start collecting his awaiting riches. Maybe crime does not pay but treason always did and always will.

[scb111_1]

Unbelieveable that people are still unwilling to understand what a true success Iraq is turning out to be. Iraq is changing very fast and within 5 years will legitimately be the most prosperous and powerful country in the region. How anyone can witness what is democracy in action in a country with no history of it and not be amazed is beyond me.

Posted by BIAP64 at 11:22 AM : Nov 27, 2008

So true, but liberal minded people don''t really understand freedom and democracy?

[nothappyatall]

The Iraqi parliament approved Thursday a security pact with the United States that allows American troops to stay in the country for three more years. "


LOL, however, Obama said he will begin withdrawing as soon as he is in office, hopefully we will be OUT of there within ONE year or even less.

[deckardbr]

Another airliner full of cash disappeared into Iraqi parliament pockets.

[ramos937]

Let''s see: (1) The Iraq govenment wants us around to protect them if their own troops fail to do so; (2) they want the option of telling us what to do in Iraq; (3) they set a deadline for us of 2011 but can extend it at their whim; (4) they want us to protect them on our dime and still pay them for the privilive of protecting them; (5) the population has overwhemlingly said they want us to go and ASAP; (6) we are broke and have to borrow about $15 billion per month to be there. Does not this situation define insanity?

[ramos937]

Unbelieveable that people are still unwilling to understand what a true success Iraq is turning out to be. Iraq is changing very fast and within 5 years will legitimately be the most prosperous and powerful country in the region. How anyone can witness what is democracy in action in a country with no history of it and not be amazed is beyond me.

Posted by BIAP64 at 11:22 AM : Nov 27, 2008
---------------------------------------
TO BIAP64....Iraq has roughtly 350,000 troops in its security force which we have been training since 2003 and also paying.

In view that we are spending over $15 billion per month (borrowed funds) and have spend over 4000 lives there, and our current poor economic condition, do you not think we have done more than enough there?

[biap64]

Since we just spent the equivalent 700 billion in one day on a banking crisis, I would suggest a long term solution ( or at least the beginning of one ) in the middle east would be considered money well spent. Not to mention that Iraq is now destined to be a very large trading partner flush with cash and in need of absolutely everything. Heck the potential for our outdated automakers to develop the market in Iraq where they love to drive huge cars and SUV''s should be exciting enough...especially when we are about to provide them with 25 Billion to play with.

[niceface19]

No US soldiers can come home until WMD is found, Bush ordered.

[niceface19]

Keep the troops over there, we don''t want them back, they are not welcome home until WMD is found.

[jraf766]

This if for CONDUMBASS, Dont you ever disgrace the military or you will find yourself out on the streets looking for a job, We deserve our retirement benefits, and are good in the private sector, your boss is probably retired and makes you work for your money thats probably why you dont like it, cause you never served and you are not disciplined, your a disgrace in the private sector. What have you done for our country besides milk it. Dont forget who you work for. Dont like leave and go to Iran, see what happens there.

Have you been to combat, I have, with out a military there wont be no democracy, you wont even have a computer to type on, you will be hung and casterated.

I am of generation of military since the beginning of USA, dont like it leave!

[jraf766]

As far as Iraq goes I served two combat tours over there, I dont give a sh_t if we are still over there and if I have to go back there and whip some more a__!
Maybe a world with out any law and order is what you want, you would be dead today, think about that.

You all want history to repeat itself, Genocide!

We went over there and liberated I saw first hand, they didnt have computers, internet or cell phones, till we got rid of the regime.

Imagine you without access to the world. You might have forgot what happened in the 90''s when he gassed kuwait, and the kurds. The world is better off without Saddam. Dont forget there was no fly zones from Billy. The forgotten war.

Welfare checks, what a disgrace, Yah taxpayers pay us, but you know what, The system is set up that way and that is why we still have a democracy after 200 plus years, dont like it leave the USA and never come back, If you think we dont need a military, Im sure you like to be told what to say how to think and how many kids you can have.

[biap64]

jraf766 .. don''t even bother to try to explain what the truth is to these people here. It would make their heads explode to let go of their myths about the purpose or outcome of the "war in Iraq" Iraq has moved forward at light speed in the past 5 years, it has been certainly painful but nothing worth having is ever easy. Perhaps we could have waited for the "one" to be elected and he could have convinced the Iraqi regime to come clean after 12 years of sanctions, no fly zones and the occassional missle strike from Pres Clinton, but by this time could we have been sure that Saddam wouldn''t have taken advantage of the preoccupation in Afghanistan only to exert himself again?

[jraf766]

For your information Tattor tot, and toto so, I dont enjoy killing, I enjoy freedom and peace. You two are probably low life trash and have never served your country and only talk sh_t about it. Dont like it once again leave it!

I proud to have go rid of a regime, who chops off heads, experements with chemicals, who gasses people, who diddnt allow the people to read, hang people or have access to the outside world. The only way for peace is to spread democracy however we can.

25% of the world is extremist and should be worried, but this third world *** will never win.

I been there twice and Im not in jail, most of us do the right thing. No one is perfect, and I do have a real job something that you would never be able to handle. You probably tried and they didnt let you in cause you suck or couldnt past the test to get in, or dont have something simple as a high school diploma.

Anyways, you should go to a dictatorship country and see what happens to you, your a__ will be back in the USA next flight out. Look at india right now.

[downtowner97]

Forget about Iraq. We''re in trouble right here in America, and we''re still spending money we don''t have in Iraq. Hundreds of thieves and liars have gotten rich off this war while hard working Americans have lost their homes. It''s all been a smokescreen for the theft of a country by evil corporations and warlords.

[downtowner97]

Iraq was never a threat to us. Even Bush has said so. Bush did a little comedy routine at a press gathering where he pretended to look in the podium and under the chairs for weapons of mass destruction. We went over to Iraq and destroyed the place to make work for Bush''s favorite corporations. The soldiers sent there were lied to. The reasons for being Iraq have changed over and over, and the rest of the world hates us for what we''ve done. This is not "Freedom", nor is it noble in any way. Hitler analogies are unavoidable at this point. The difference is, Bush will walk away from this whole mess and die of old age.

[pvperson]

"I am of generation of military since the beginning of USA, dont like it leave!"
Posted by jraf766

Yeah, a lot of countries have families like yours, mostly in Central America, folks that don''t know anything but the military after generations of brain washing. You should try and remember that you folks are the minority in America, so if YOU don''t like it, then leave, PULUEEEAAASSSEEEEE...........

[pvperson]

"you should go to a dictatorship country and see what happens to you"
Posted by jraf766

Isn''t that what Bush and folks like YOU have been wanting for the United States? I''ve never seen a more Fascist government than created by Bush and company. I assume that a lowlife like yourself believes that''s the best thing for the country. Domination of the majority by a minority, a lot like Iraq under Saddam.

[biap64]

MikeTotten1 - I wonder if the real Mike Totten a journalist who reports from Iraq would like you using his name in vane. You have been drinking the koolaide and living in your Mother''s basement for so long that you have lost complete contact with reality.

[renonv5]

Iraqi Lawmakers Approve U.S. Troop Pact

As if they ever had a choice.....

[downtowner97]

Now all we need to do is sell them all our weapons on our way out so they can live happily ever after.

[runningralph]

A functioning democracy in Iraq is a desirable goal for Western civilization. If Iraq can make democracy and free enterprise work, it will take some of the impetus away from the jihadists. However, the odds are slim in a region that is vulnerable to Islamic terrorism. Islam authorizes crime, and exhorts people to commit atrocities and promises heavenly rewards to murderers. In this toxic culture, the type of government most likely to be able to hold on to power is a brutal dictatorship. All Western civilization can do is try to foster democracy.

[motown67usa]

Some winners and losers from this vote. First the Sadrists show once again that they are on the outside looking in. They stood against the agreement, but never had the votes to stop it. Not only that, they%u2019re running on being nationalists and anti-American, but it%u2019s Prime Minister Maliki that has usurped that from them. Sunnis, they agreed to vote on the deal for a resolution on reconciliation and a referendum on the SOFA. The Kurds and Shiites still run the government and don%u2019t care about reconciliation. The Sunnis are like a stepchild. Last big loser, Pres. Bush. He said he refused to agree to any timetable for a withdrawal, but that%u2019s exactly what he just agreed to. The Iraqis knew he wanted a SOFA before he left office so they were able to get just about everything they asked for. Finally, the big winner, Maliki. He can now say he told the Americans to leave. This will help him out in the upcoming elections. The problem, everyone is now scared of his power and the Supreme Council and the Kurds were trying to unseat him before the vote. For more see: http://musingsoniraq.blogspot.com/

[realtime09]

Obama may certainly decide to scrap or alter quickly trumped up, "agreements". We don''t want the current administration trying to railroad the U.S. as per the last F-----g 8 years.

Pact schmact. Har de har.

BYE BYE W.

[boandco]

The Iraq invasion is no more than armed robbery. Like most criminals, we come up with convoluted logic that justifies our taking other peoples wealth. The US military, or the military industrial complex, is no more than our gangster type mercenaries. All this nonsense about democracy or helping mankind is hogwash, we are there for the money, and for the oil.

[biap64]

This sham "democracy" is based more on bribery than anything else. And, when the bribery stops, Iraq''''''''s "democracy" (? Iraq is under sharia law) will end." Where did you get the idea that Iraq is under Sharia law...other than some cultural observance, Iraqis like music, fast cars, smoking cigarettes and generally having a good time. The Iraqi situation is changing so fast that they are now planning to build a subway...no, not the 6" tuna salad sandwich selling kind. There is no turning back now.

[nearl4511]

Funny how low the bar has fallen to be considered Messiah.

All you apparently have to be capable of is reason to fit the bill.

[metsobitso]

Does this mean that after three years we will have to start paying for the Iraqi oil that we are taking?

[downtowner97]

For 8 years Bush''s fans blamed Clinton for everything that was wrong in the world. Now they say it''s Obama''s problem. Was there ever any moment in 8 years where Bush was in charge and responsible for the welfare of our country?

My favorite Bush moment was when he was at a press gathering and pretended to be looking in the podium and under the chairs for WMD''s. It was supposed to be funny, but looked more like a confession.

[pirmin3]

I wonder how many pallets of $100 bills of taxpayer money it took to buy the legislators of this puppet government.

[metsobitso]

Problem is, they can%u2019t build up the Iraqi defence forces, because the first thing they would do is throw the US forces out of the country. All we can do is keep them defenceless and encourage them to squabble amongst themselves. If the Iraqis ever get back together, like they did under Hussein, we are finished.

[ajayvee]

The American Forces will leave Iraq when Israel orders them to and not a minute sooner. The illusion that it''s the President''s decision is just face-saving hogwash. And the sooner we admit to that humiliating fact, the sooner we MAY find the collective b*lls to do something about it.

[sfcusarmy1]

pirmin3 - puppet government? You must not remember all the purple stained fingers of the Iraqi people on election day. Maybe a puppet for the Iraqi people.

[sfcusarmy1]

ConDumbistan- The US military welfare program is trying to assure themselves 3 more years of welfare checks and other US taxpayer handouts. To all that have had the misfortune of working with retired military deadbeats in the private sector, you know exactly what I mean.
-------------------------------------------
You are a true P.O.S.

[sfcusarmy1]

ConDumbistan- And just so you know, Us welfare cases and deadbeats in the military have just as many taxes taken out of our checks as you do. ***!

[libsh8theusa]

Winning Isn''t News
By INVESTOR''S BUSINESS DAILY

Iraq:
What would happen if the U.S. won a war but the media didn''t tell the
American public?
Apparently, we have to rely on a British newspaper for the
news that we''ve defeated the last remnants of al-Qaida in Iraq .

London''s Sunday Times called it "the culmination of one of the most
spectacular victories of the war on terror." A terrorist force that once
numbered more than 12,000, with strongholds in the west and central regions
of Iraq, has over two years been reduced to a mere 1,200 fighters, backed
against the wall in the northern city of Mosul.

The destruction of al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) is one of the most unlikely and
unforeseen events in the long history of American warfare.

We can thank
President Bush''s surge strategy,
in which he bucked both Republican and
Democratic leaders in Washington by increasing our forces there instead of
surrendering.

We can also thank the leadership of the new general he placed in charge
there, David Petraeus, who may be the foremost expert in the world on
counter-insurgency warfare. And we can thank those serving in our military
in Iraq who engaged local Iraqi tribal leaders and convinced them
America was their friend and AQI their enemy.

Al-Qaida''s loss of the hearts and minds of ordinary Iraqis began in Anbar
Province, which had been written off as a basket case, and spread out from
there.

[ziaian]

Again, CBS, repeating AP and other media calls Moqtada Al Sadr and his supporters +anti-American;. I read all their statements and do not see any +anti-American; word! Is asking foreign troops to leave your country +anti-American;? Are millions of Americans also asking the troops to leave Iraq +anti-American;? Is President-elect Barack Obama +anti-American ;?
Was President Eisenhower who warned us against the military-industrial complex (who is behind the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and everywhere else) anti-American?
Shodja Ziaian
Shodja Ziaian

[jgunther7]

Yes I remember President Eisenhower when he warned us about the military-industrial complex. I was too young to fully appreciate what a military-industrial complex was. Now I know and it is evil. Eisenhower was right. It is the biggest threat to the United States and it is destroying our country.

[babooph]

Wow -our stooges living in the "green zone" voted our way -I AM SO SURPISED!!

[evian_ycnan]

Yes I remember President Eisenhower when he warned us about the military-industrial complex. I was too young to fully appreciate what a military-industrial complex was. Now I know and it is evil. Eisenhower was right. It is the biggest threat to the United States and it is destroying our country.

Posted by jgunther7 at 03:23 PM : Nov 28, 2008

--------------

Congratulations! Here`s your cookie. You have nailed the problem on the head. The military is no longer a means to the end of protecting the country... it IS the country; it is the ends.

More than 1/2 of gov''t expenditures on on the military. It has its own laws and its own courts. It is a system that is counter to the very principles it is trying to protect and it ALREADY runs the country.

You are correct, and you are too late.