Al-Maliki stressing U.S. departure

[unhappycamper]

Al-Maliki stressing U.S. departure
By Robert H. Reid - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Nov 1, 2008 17:25:51 EDT

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister is pushing the idea that the U.S. departure is in sight in a bid to sell the security deal with Washington to Iran.

To reinforce the message, the Iraqis are asking for changes to the deal that would effectively rule out extending the U.S. military presence beyond 2011.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his allies are also describing the agreement not as a formula for long-term U.S.-Iraqi security cooperation — the original goal when the talks began earlier this year — but as a way to manage the U.S. withdrawal.

It’s unclear whether this will be enough to win over the Iranians and Iraqi critics — or whether the U.S. will go along with the demands submitted by the Iraqi cabinet this week.

The Iraqis want expanded Iraqi jurisdiction over U.S. troops and elimination of a clause that could allow the soldiers to stay past a tentative Dec. 31, 2011, deadline.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_iraqsecurity_110108/%2e