SOFA, So Good?
EmailThe Iraqi Cabinet today approved the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States over the continued presence of U.S. troops in the country. The agreement would call for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from towns and cities beginning on June 30, 2009, and from the rest of the country by Dec. 31, 2011.
"The American side assures us that the newly elected president will comply with what both sides agreed upon," said Iraqi press spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.
The Iraqi Parliament will vote on the agreement within 10 days and is set to debate it Monday.
No official response yet from President-elect Obama, who will inherit this agreement.
- jpt
UPDATE: Obama Transition Team spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter says, "President-elect Obama believes it is critical that a status of forces agreement that ensures sufficent protections for our men and women in uniform is reached before the end of the year. We look forward to reviewing the final text of the agreement."
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Don’t get your hopes up even if this happens. Obama/Biden will just send them to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Jeez Afghanistan alone destroyed Russia and now Brezinski and Carter II (O’bomba) want another Vietnam just after we get out of Iraq. (Of course we’ll STILL be there to protect our bases and resources i.e. IRAQ’S OIL, so the price of oil can stay artifically high!) Jeez, where IS the “change” exactly… Can anyone here say “shell game!” Bring the troops HOME NOW!!! We could use them on the border if nothing else!
Posted by: hmn | November 17, 2008, 12:01 am 12:01 am
The troops are NEEDED in Afghanistan; that’s the “right” war (if ANY war can be called right). Iraq is (and always has been) the WRONG war. The main problem with the timetable for withdrawal is that ALL Americans should be out of Iraq by the end of 2010, not 2011. And not just troops, but ALL Americans. Our State Department should forbid ALL travel by American citizens to Iraq for ANY reason.
And any American buildings in Iraq and equipment which cannot be brought home should be totally destroyed.
If we have ANY chance of defeating our enemies (who have vowed to wipe out America), they are in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The sooner we get out of Iraq the better, then those people can go back to their daily business of killing each other. It’s what they DO!
Posted by: Rhys | November 17, 2008, 1:01 am 1:01 am
If Mr Obama Breaks a Fails to agree on a the pact with Iraq it will be detrimental to America, and American interest in the middle east.
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah “Saudi Arabia would back the Sunnis if the United States pulls out of Iraq”
So If Obama pulls them out any earlier, than a pact they want. Then he best have 100% alternative fuel capabilities already in force.
It will take the Afghanistan war on terror to find AL queada, to a full blown war. It will make Iraq look like a walk in the park.
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We won the war in Iraq. Now out of Humanitarian Obligation we have to stay in Iraq until they are ready to stand alone.
Posted by: seah | November 17, 2008, 3:37 am 3:37 am
“The American side assures us that the newly elected president will comply with what both sides agreed upon,” said Iraqi press spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.
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Mr. al-Dabbagh has not been paying attention to the US elections. Obama on numerous occassions promised the American people that he would withdraw our troops within 18 months of taking office. This means that in 2009 we will start withdrawing our forces in early 2009 and be out by summer of 2010. As far as the Obama administration is concerned, since this treaty was not ratified by Congress, it is can be unilaterally cancelled by the Obama administration which it will do.
Posted by: Beto | November 17, 2008, 4:03 am 4:03 am
Ya know, the Iraqi [GOV’T} sure isn’t wasting any time on this agreement. While I am loving how the Obama win has snapped them into a working shape, I am still expecting Obama to give them no free passes once he assumes office regardless of their ‘we were assured the newly elected gov’t would comply with the agreement’ whining. The newly elected man is not Bush so they better be prepared to deal with him.
Posted by: Question | November 17, 2008, 10:04 am 10:04 am
Perhaps the hurdle of SOFA within the Iraqi Parliament will be the lack provisions to prevent a permanent American presence. Incidentally, there were permanent structures being built in Iraqi as late as 2007. Anyway, I certainly hope the agreement passes, but won’t assume in confidence it will.
Posted by: kat | November 17, 2008, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm