Changes to Iraq-US agreement under debate

After Iraqi Government approved on Tuesday to introduce changes to the security agreement with Washington passed by Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki to the US part which pointed out to the difficulty of amending the deal, a senior Iraqi source affirmed that Al Maliki is heading towards approving the agreement with the US even if the latter rejects amendments. On the other hand, parliamentarian sources demeaned fears of a military coup in Iraq if US Forces withdraw from the country while others warned of Iran taking advantage of power void to control the Iraqi scene. For his part, President Jalal TalabaniJalal Talabani stressed the importance of signing the security agreement noting that it would benefit the Iraqi people. On the parliamentarian level, MPs asserted that the Parliament has the final say regarding the ratification of the agreement stressing that Parliament tops national interest above all. Locally, Unified Coalition Party member Sami Al Askari told Al Sharq Al Awsat Newspaper that Iraq has mainly called to redraft the Arab version of the agreement as the present one is inaccurate. Meanwhile, Unified Iraqi Coalition senior official Jalal Din Al Saghir criticized threats warning Iraq of consequences if the agreement fails noting that Iraqi politicians seek Iraq’s national interest in this agreement. In his turn, head of Iraq’s national conference Dr. Ahmad Al Jalabi stressed the necessity of maintaining solid and balanced relations with the US while underlining the importance of preserving Iraqi sovereignty in the security agreement. On the US level, the White House acknowledged that Iraq will face difficulties in adopting the agreement on the presence of US Forces in Iraq accusing Iraqi groups’ political interests of hindering the pact. However, he confirmed the possibility of reaching an agreement between Baghdad and Washington on conditions of keeping US Forces in the country after December 13. US President Georges W Bush said in a meeting with visiting Kurdistan leader Massoud Barazani that Washington started to study Baghdad new demands on the conditions of US presence in Iraq showing cooperation. However, President BushPresident Bush refused to cede a number of principles noting that he has received amendments proposed by the Iraqi Government showing confidence and optimism that the agreement will be passed. Still, Bush warned of introducing changes that might undermine the agreement. For his part, US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan CrockerRyan Crocker affirmed that proposals submitted by the government are under negotiations asserting that the US Government considers itself as a partner of Iraqi Government in ascertaining security, achieving development and construction. Crocker clarified in an interview with the Newsmatic on the sidelines of opening a children hospital in Babel that his country has received the amendments and is trying to reach a close version thereto in order to achieve the deal.

Source: www.alsumaria.tv