In Surprise, Iraq May Enforce Withdrawal Deadline

[unhappycamper]

Iraq's leadership is signaling that it wants the U.S. military out of the country by the end of 2011. Here, members of the U.S. 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, walk toward a C-17 aircraft in Baghdad before returning home to Fort Stewart, Ga., in November.


In Surprise, Iraq May Enforce Withdrawal Deadline
by Kelly McEvers
January 4, 2011

As Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki settles in for a second term, he's begun to talk tough on the final withdrawal of American troops, scheduled for the end of this year.

It's long been assumed that the withdrawal deadline of December 2011 would be renegotiated — that Iraq might need some kind of troop presence beyond then. But lately, it's looking like the United States and Iraq might have to come up with another plan.

Over the past two years, U.S. troops have remained in Iraq under a treaty between the two countries known as a Status of Forces Agreement.

The treaty is set to expire at the end of this year. But American generals and Iraqi politicians have long hinted that the two sides might reach a deal to extend the deadline — if, of course, the Iraqi government formally requested it.

But in an interview Maliki granted The Wall Street Journal last week, he said the existing agreement is "sealed" — and subject to neither extension nor alteration. Still, he did seem to leave open the possibility of a new agreement.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Maliki and what army? n/t.

[tekisui]

2. I hope the last US troop leaves by December, but I am not going to

hold my breath. We'll see.

[xchrom]

3. 'get out -- you fucked it up enough'. nt

[Ghost in the Machine]

4. Why is this a surprise? He told us to leave over 3 years ago...

Iraq PM says US forces can leave

Al-Maliki says Iraqi police and soldiers could fill the void.

Last Modified: 15 Jul 2007 08:03 GMT

Iraq's prime minister has cast off US doubts over his government's military and political progress, saying Iraqi forces are capable and US troops can leave "any time they want".

Nuri al-Maliki's comments came on Saturday, after one of his aids accused US forces of committing human rights violations and arming "gangs of killers".
At a time when pressure is mounting in the US for George Bush, the US president, to withdraw American troops from Iraq, al-Maliki has said his administration needs "time and effort" to enact the political reforms called for by Washington.
"Particularly since the political process is facing security, economic and services pressures, as well as regional and international interference," said al-Maliki.


But he said if necessary, Iraqi police and soldiers could fill the void left by the departure of coalition forces.

"We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want," he said.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2007/07/2008525125353960867.html


If that dumbass fucking wannabe cowboy chimp had any brains at all, he would have declared victory and pulled out right then and there, but he was too fucking stupid to do it, or he was trying to enrich his war profiteer cronies all he could. Both of these scenarios are plausible for explaining why he didn't use this opportunity to pull out.

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. evening kick...

[bemildred]

5. I'm not surprised. nt

[conspirator]

6. They are puppets. they can't force jack shit n/t

[Edweird]

7. .................