WITHDRAWAL TIMETABLE? For the first time, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki suggested a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. The Bush administration downplayed Maliki's statement.

While speaking at a United Arab Emirates meeting Monday, al-Maliki said that security pact negotiations with the United States should include a mechanism for withdrawing foreign troops. Al-Maliki's comment differs from the official position of the Bush administration, which has consistently rejected the idea of using timetables as a tool for determining troop draw-downs. Meanwhile members of the Iraqi parliament continue to pressure al-Maliki about Iraqi sovereignty.

Iraq Negotiates New Security Pact with United States

The United Nations authorized the United States' occupation of Iraq in a series of resolutions, which expire at the end of the year (see sidebar).

The U.S. and Iraqi administrations have been negotiating terms for a new security agreement for months to replace the UN resolutions.

Many details must be worked out in the new security pact, including the following issues:

• What kind of authority will U.S. troops have to detain suspected criminals?
• How much control will the Iraqi government have over U.S. security operations (if any)?
• Should U.S. troops and private contractors have immunity from Iraqi law?
• Who will control Iraq's airspace?

The new security pact must be in place by the end of 2008.

Bush Administration Says Iraq Security Negotiations Not about ‘Hard Date" for Withdrawal

Speaking of the negotiations between the United States and Iraq, al-Maliki said, "The current trend is to reach an agreement on a memorandum of understanding either for the departure of the forces or to put a timetable on their withdrawal." (Times Online, 7/8/08)

But the Bush administration downplayed al-Maliki's statement. Referring to the ongoing negotiations, U.S. National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, "It is important to understand that these are not talks on a hard date for a withdrawal." (Al-Jazeera, 7/8/08)

The Bush administration had hoped to finalize the new security terms by the end of July. But, bowing to pressure from the Iraqi parliament, al-Maliki has been slow to sign new agreements with U.S. negotiators.

Iraqi Parliament Criticizes al-Maliki, Bush

Iraqi parliament members complained that the negotiations between al-Maliki and the unpopular Bush administration have been too secretive.

"I don't know anything about this agreement and neither does parliament," said Parliament Member Ezzedine Dawla. "We're going to pass something we don't know anything about." (Times Online, 7/8/08)

Clearly al-Maliki intends to stay in the driver's seat. Earlier he had promised to include the Iraqi parliament in approving foreign occupation agreements. But, because the term of the new security pact may be short, the Iraqi administration may not ask for parliament's approval.

"It is up to the cabinet whether to approve it or sign on it, without going back to the parliament," said On Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh. (Al-Jazeera, 7/8/08)

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Question for Readers:

Do you think U.S. soldiers and private contractors should be immune from prosecution for crimes under Iraqi law?