Resolution of the U.S./Iraq status of forces agreement is uncertain after a preliminary review by the Iraqi Cabinet resulted in new provisions being added for negotiation. Prime Minister Maliki has said he will not submit the report to thefull Parliament for approval unless it's certain to pass. The December 31st deadline for a new agreement between the U.S. and Iraq coincides with the end of the U.N. mandate allowing the U.S. presence in Iraq.
The
Iraqi cabinet agreed Tuesday to amend a draft agreement governing the
status of U.S. forces in Iraq, but introduced new provisions that the
U.S. military is unlikely to accept.
Among other things, the amendments would give Iraqi authorities the
right to determine whether a U.S. service member was on- or off-duty
when he or she committed an alleged crime outside American bases, where
such an American would be tried. It also would allow authorities to
inspect all U.S. cargo entering the nation.
Iraqi politicians see the changes as a way to preserve Iraqi sovereignty.
U.S. officials have described the original draft agreement, which would replace the United Nations mandate for U.S. military operations in Iraq, as "final," and the Iraqi amendments are likely to push negotiations between Iraq and the U.S. to an impasse. (Link)
The Associated Press reported this morning the Bush Administration is in the process of reviewing those changes now. The AP claims an aide to Prime Minister Maliki says the Iraqis are looking for four changes to the agreement "including one concerning judicial jurisdiction that they acknowledge would be difficult for the Americans to accept."
In all likelihood, the Iraqis are waiting until the U.S. presidential elections are resolved and the Bush Administration is without the juice it now has. It's also likely we're being played here a bit.
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