US pressures Iraq to accept security deal

It seems that the security agreement due to be signed between the United States and Iraq will not pass smoothly without affecting bilateral relations as the agreement is decisive about the future of US troops in Iraq. While Iraqi officials are reluctant about the last draft of the agreement calling to reconsider some of its articles, it seems that US officials were taken aback by Iraq’s official stand which showed clearly through pressures exerted on the Iraqi Government to accept the agreement and through statements of the US Sate and Defense departments as well as the White House.
State Department spokesman Robert Wood said: “We’re running out of time. The door is closing”. Wood affirmed the Iraqi government had not formally notified Washington of its objections and they could not address them until it did.
For her part, White House spokeswoman Dana PerinoDana Perino said the agreement is at hand noting that due changes are minor while adding that US negotiators would study any amendments the Iraqi government might propose but said there would be “a very high bar” to accepting them.
In the most alarming statement, a State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity said US forces would have to stop providing personal protection to senior Iraqi officials if the UN mandate expires without a security agreement in place, as then, US Forces would have no legal basis to operate and would have to withdraw. On the Iraqi level, Government spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh declared that the government is highly concerned about the statements of US joint Chief of Staff Admiral Michael MullenMichael Mullen who warned of serious consequences if the security agreement is not signed noting that these statements are not welcome. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hosheyar Zebari said that Baghdad may seek changes to the wording of the draft pact but would not seek to renegotiate its “backbone.”
He added that Washington has approved to study the proposed amendments but it is not clear whether it will accept them warning of the consequences if the security agreement fails.
In the same context, US Secretary of State Condoleeza RiceCondoleeza Rice announced that Iraqi Forces alone are not capable now of defending Iraq, thus Baghdad should accept the security agreement. Rice considered that Iraq seeks to guarantee that coalition forces can remain in Iraq enough to protect achievements made so far until Iraqi Forces are capable of defending their nation. Rice averted the question on whether the present draft of the agreement is the final US proposal saying the agreement is good as it is.

Source: www.alsumaria.tv