Iraqis agree coalition troops will stay

[CShine]

Surprise, surprise

US President George Bush today said coalition troops would remain in Iraq beyond June 30 at the request of the interim Iraqi government. Bush was speaking after meeting his French counterpart Jacques Chirac in Paris to discuss a new UN resolution on the handover of sovereignty in Iraq. Both leaders, meeting in a bid to smooth over ties badly frayed by the war on Iraq, expressed hope the United Nations Security Council would soon agree on a resolution on the return of power to the Iraqis. Meanwhile, at least 10 people died in fighting and attacks across the oil-rich country.

"Multinational forces will remain in Iraq to help this new government succeed in its vital work," Bush told a joint news conference with Chirac, saying such a move came "at the request of the new government, at the request of the (Iraqi) prime minister."

Bush said the US-led coalition in Iraq and the newly-formed government in Baghdad had exchanged letters detailing the conditions under which foreign forces would remain in the country after the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty on June 30. But the US president gave no indication when those forces might withdraw - an omission that is one of Chirac's main objections to the current draft of the UN resolution.

Chirac stressed that the thorny "issue of security arrangements between the Iraqi government and the multinational forces still needs to be worked out." He also insisted there was "no alternative" to a UN resolution in order to restore peace to Iraq.


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/06/1086460160050.html?oneclick=true

[Mikimouse]

1. Wow! I sure didn't see that coming...

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you! NOT!

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. me too!

:eyes:

[stickdog]

3. They chose wisely.

Or is that we chose them wisely?

[Disturbed]

4. Iraqis have a choice?

I bet that is huge news to the Iraqi people.

[Just Me]

5. One problem: there has been NO democratic election.

That election should have occured months ago (NO EXCUSES).

This will NOT succeed.

The neocon, war-mongering, imperialistic, corporatist plan is doomed for failure. They have freakin' ignored history because they don't give a shit about anything but their narcissitic delusions of grandeur.

They are going to bring this country and the rest of the world down with their shallow "vision" of human dignity and spirit. I hope they fucking drown in humility,...they have earned it!!!!!!!!!!