Iraq PM: Security Deal Talks at "Dead End"

[babylonsister]

Iraq PM: Security deal talks at 'dead end'

Iraqi PM says talks with US on security deal between two countries have hit a 'dead end'

SHAFIKA MATTAR
AP News

Jun 13, 2008 07:33 EST

Iraq's prime minister said Friday that talks with the U.S. on a long-term security agreement between the two nations have reached a dead end, saying the U.S. proposals "violate Iraqi sovereignty."

Nouri al-Maliki said the talks slumped because each side refused the other's demands. The initial framework agreed upon was to have been an accord "between two completely sovereign states, al-Maliki said. The U.S. demands "violate Iraqi sovereignty. At the end, we reached a dead end," he said.

The prime minister, who spoke to reporters during a visit to neighboring Jordan, said of the American demands that "this is not acceptable."

Washington and Baghdad have been negotiating behind closed doors a deal that would give U.S. troops legal grounds for an extended stay in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires Dec. 31.

more...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/06/iraq_pm_security_deal_talks_at.php

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Mr. Prime Minister, two grateful nation thank you

Please click here.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Good - But I expect the Bush Administration to circumvent even the Iraqis

To get this passed. It is a horrendous agreement for the Iraqis and
for the future of the United States' foreign policy which benefits the oil companies
and the Military Industrial complex

[Jack Rabbit]

4. That will take some real rhetorical acrobatics

Not that the White House shysters and PR department are incapable of meeting of such a challenge.

First, the Frat Boy tries to make an "executive agreement" with Maliki rather a treaty because a treaty would have to be ratified by the Senate. It is doubtful the Senate would ratify what the Frat Boy has in mind.

But now there's no agreement, either. This exposes the whole scheme as a unilateral, imperialist con job. It underscores the fact fact that this was a resource war all along. Of course, the neocons can't call it that.

Nevertheless, it will be very difficult for Bush unilaterally rob Iraq of its natural resources and build permanent military bases there and still give it bilateral cover.

[Inuca]

3. About the preliminary draft

A senior al-Maliki adviser, Yassin Majid, told The Associated Press in Amman that despite the "impasse," negotiations were "still continuing" in a bid to overcome the deadlock.

What was rejected was the "preliminary draft" presented by both sides, "but there are alternative ideas that will be presented to the negotiating table at an upcoming meeting," he said

CNN this morning: a second draft has beem submitted, which is basically the same as the first one.