Iraq spokesman says security offer not enough

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Iraq spokesman says security offer not enough
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 10, 2008 15:51:25 EST

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s government spokesman said Monday the U.S. offers of changes to a draft security agreement were “not enough” and asked Washington to offer new amendments if it wants the pact to win parliamentary approval.

The comments by spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh were the first by the Iraqis since the U.S. submitted a response last week to an Iraqi request for changes in the draft agreement, which would keep U.S. troops here until 2012 and give Iraq a greater role in the management of the U.S. mission.

Al-Dabbagh said his remarks constituted the government response, but it had not been officially conveyed to the Americans. There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials, who had described the latest draft submitted to the Iraqis as a “final text.”

Privately, however, some U.S. officials have said they expect protracted haggling over the agreement, with the Iraqis pressing for more concessions until the last minute.

“The American answer is not enough for the government to accept it in its current form,” al-Dabbagh told The Associated Press. “There are still some points in which we have not reached a bilateral understanding.”


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_iraqforces_111008/%2e