Iraqi Parliament Opposes Security Agreement Without Timetable For Withdrawal

Democrats in Congress, it turns out, aren’t the only lawmakers opposed to a long-term security agreement between President Bush and the Iraqi government. Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.) released a letter today from 31 Iraqi legislators asserting that the proposed agreement is opposed by a majority of the parliament if it does not include a specific timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. military troops. .

"Likewise, we wish to inform you that the majority of Iraqi representatives strongly reject any military-security, economic, commercial, agricultural, investment or political agreement with the United States that is not linked to clear mechanisms that obligate the occupying American military forces to fully withdraw from Iraq, in accordance with a declared timetable and without leaving behind any military bases, soldiers or hired fighters," the Iraqis said.

The letter came in response to an inquiry on support inside the parliament for continued U.S. troop presence in the country.