
This leaked draft is a treasure of information. It's the first time any document related to this topic is made public. It shows how weak the Iraqi negotiations team is (it is really pathetic to read their "suggestions" on how to fix the disaster of an agreement).
Related article: Bush may visit Baghdad within the next few days:
- the agreement goes into effect when the two executive branches exchange "memos", instead of waiting for Iraqi parliament's ratification. This is really dangerous, and it is shocking because both the Iraqi and U.S. executive branches have been assuring the Iraqi parliament that no agreement will go into effect without being ratified by Iraq's MPs.
Bush has been pushing harder for an agreement before he leaves office. Al Maliki has been putting him off because he knows that Bush's days are numbered.
But this agreement benefits Maliki anyway, I think. US military will still be in Iraq for many years (except for combat troops), which should ensure that he can remain in power. But perhaps he would rather rely on the support from Iran. It isn't easy to serve two masters at the same time ;)
Don't both Al Maliki and Al Sadr's parties have their roots in Iran? Seems like I read something along those lines.
Yes, they do. And they might agree to share the power some day. Maliki the political power, and Sadr the religious.
And who said they weren't in for the long haul? The Iraqi people won't stand for a permanent US presence.
The Iraqi people doesn't speak with one voice, unfortunately. But as long as the US is present in Iraq, there will be resistance from at least one side. Thus the US needs the military bases to protect the oil, the pipelines to Israel, and the new embassy in Baghdad. They might also need the bases to attack Iran and perhaps even Russia.
Nice find, Keld!
While the Corporate Media looks the other way, the BCF continues it's horrendous activities around the world.
Thanks, nearing. Sorry for my ignorance, but who is the BCF?
Bush Crime Family.
Sorry, it's an abbreviation I use on my column. I should have spelt it out.
Kind of like the American Mafia.
Yep, there you go. Nice link. I may have to borrow it.
You're most welcome ;)
Bush Crime Family. Very funny. Very true. Way back to good ole Prescott. Er, Keld. If America is thinking of bombing Iran and Russia. Shouldn't they hurry up. The world is going to end in 9 days. Oh actually 7 days now. Check out the thread. It's under cartooncat. But I recommend you have no food or drink in your mouth while reading the comments. Damn hilarious!!!
Thanks for the tip. I still have tears in my eyes from laughter :)
Told it was hilarious. I wonder if we'll still be laughing in 7 days. Bloody better be or I'll be mighty pissed off!
Me too. But it's not the first time the end of the world has been predicted. I think it'll still last a little while :)
Yeah. I'd rather stick to the Mayans and the Egyptians 2012. That at least gives us a few more years. Maybe even time to correct some of our evils. Now back to this thread Keld I read the article in full. Is this really true? I've been pondering on it on and off all day. Because if it is true. Might as well say Good-bye to The Middle East and hello to well you know.
I think it's true and it has been the plan for a long time. Even before 9/11, as we can read about on the PNAC website. The American people will be told that the US troops will be withdrawn from Iraq and that the country now has been handed over to the Iraqis. But that's a lie, of course. The US has never left a "conquered" country again, and Iraq will be no exception. The SOFA document will ensure that. The US still have thousands of troops in Germany, Italy, Japan, Philippines, Korea, etc. and they're now closing in on Russia from the east and from the south, building new military bases and defense systems in most of the former USSR satellite states. It's a battle for world dominance, but I think they might have made a deal with China about sharing that power. We shall see soon enough.
Well that was a creepy and uncomfortable read. I thought Cuba was friends with Russia. America has to remember that Russia has Nuclear Weapons and they aren't afraid to use them. I assume you've heard of Alex Jones the filmaker. Anti-war etc. He interviewed this solider who had served in Iraq (I've got the dvd) and the solider told Ales Jones point blank the the Military were building permanent bases. I guess the way things are going we just may get our Armageddon. You better hurry and visit my shores. Unless we all go poof in 7 days. I think the Americans have been gunning for the Russians since the 2nd World War. They never got over the ending of the cold war (I still don't get how a war can be cold?). And I don't think many Americans like the Russians. A woman today posted that she was taking me off her friends list (she did) because I said I admired Vladimer Putin. She never even gave me the chance to explain. The reason I admire Putin is because in the Yeltsin era people were not getting their wages I think for 3 years. People were dying of starvation. Putin turned that around. Sure he's got his faults. Hands up who doesn't. But what I think he did for his own people was admirable. And us Aussies don't mind the Russians. At least no one I know. Maybe some Muslims because of the Chechyna conflict. But I won't come into that. Because I've read enough to know the rules of Islam. And they broke the migration law by trying to gain independence.
Yeah, Russia has nuclear weapons, but as soon as the US missile defense system is in place, it won't be of much use. Russia will have to prevent that somehow. I visited the USSR a couple of times in the 80s. The Russians are great people, but most of them were quite poor at that time. We should make friends with them. Not enemies.
Perhaps better get ready for a September Surprise.
I agree. I live just down the road from a Russian Orthodox Church and they are very friendly when you walk past. Smile. Just polite people. I'm gonna check out this September Surprise now.
America is arming Georgia. Is there a pie that America doesn't have it's fingers in. Dear God. Keld I just ran down the list and was stunned at some of the headlines. What the @!$%# is going on? Maybe it would be a good idea if the world went poof in now 6 days here. At least we'll all die at once. No more sickening images on TV of children being blown to bits. And what the @!$%# is that chenney up to? I never trusted that slimy little weasel (apologies to weasels).
Dick Cheney is the mastermind of this whole mess. By the way, if you don't know Layla Anwar, you should take a look at her blog. Her latest post is called: An agreement on a Sofa...
Also see this: US tries to create an 'iron curtain' around Russia.
Wow! No bars held there. What a powerful article. She gives it to the Iraqi government like nobodies business. Mate, she was strong. Unfortunately true. Damn I can't write what I'd like to. Sorry Keld. But I think you know what I'm thinking. I'm going to check out the other link now.
Keld. For some bizarre reason everytime I try and click onto your Russian/Iron curtain link. It won't let me. Perhaps you could send it to me. Actually for another bizarre reason, I'm having problems with my computer/internet tonight. Something is playing up.
Works fine for me. Try first to find the link on the front page of Information Clearing House - or else I'll send it to you.
Keld. Got it on that link. Thanks. Ooooo. America is @!$%#ting it's self. Russia is looking like the new Super Power everyday. I didn't know that Putin cleared all the debts from Russia. That is very interesting to know.
At least Russia already have a missile defense system in place, while the US/NATO have only started to build one. That gives Russia a big advantage if someone should feel like starting WWIII.
psst. Keld. Don't tell 'em that. They might not know. Onya Russia!!!
Hi Keld-
I'm thinking the scenario Justin Raimondo (link 3.14) suggested for a US invasion of Iran from bases in Georgia is, unfortunately, all too plausible. It's especially creepy when combined with the news is of Cheney meeting with Saakashvili and rumours of Bush planning a trip to Iraq.
Notice how all the news (at least US media sources) of Georgia and the administration's tough talk focuses on the Russian threat? hm...rather than looking north from Georgia I'll be keeping an eye toward the south.
Yeah, something dirty is definitely going on. Also see this Catastrophe Warning.
From Article Six Iraq occupation will not come to an end , calling the vague occupied areas : ''Installations and areas agreed upon''!!
Usage of Installations and areas agreed upon
1- Iraq guarantees the accessibility of the U.S. forces and U.S. contractors to installations and areas agreed upon according to what both sides agree on, while insuring that Iraq's sovereignty is not undermined. Installations and areas agreed upon will be returned to Iraq without charge, unless both sides agree otherwise. 2- Iraq authorizes the U.S. forces to practice all the authorities and have all the rights to manage construct, use, maintain, and secure installations and areas agreed upon. Both sides coordinate and collaborate regarding shared installations and areas agreed upon.
3- The United States forces control the entrances of the installations and areas agreed upon. Both sides coordinate their work in shared installations and areas agreed upon based on mechanisms put by the joint military operations committee.
I just wonder whether the Iraqi parliament will ratify this agreement. They never ratified the new OIL Law, for instance. But perhaps the Iraqi parliament is only there for show and have no real power...
Keld. I hate to embarrass you. But der! Of course they are just @!$%# kickers. Anyone can figure that one out. Sorry love. Didn't mean to be rude.
The Iraqi parliament consists of all major political parties from all over the country. According to the constitution, they'll have to ratify this agreement to become effectuated. They most like won't do that, while al Maliki's puppet government most surely will. And that's probably all that's needed for the US's continual colonization of the country. So much for the democracy in Iraq. Very sad indeed.
Yeah but they will never know what to do with Sadr's Army. He is one man that won't take America in HIS country lying down. And he has the biggest Army. Militia. Whatever you want to call it. He has men all over Iraq ready to fight for him at the drop of the hat. That Maliki is a nothing. Never has been, never will be. bush tells him to jump and he says 'How high Sir?'.
Maliki is doing his best in protracting and stalling negotiaioon to skip the bait set for him to rush in before US presidenial election
''Iraqi PM changes team negotiating U.S. troops pact ''
Right, Sadr is the Joker in the game, but he will probably remain in Iran for as long as the US is present in Iraq. However, both Sadr and Maliki are strongly supported by Iran, so how this combination will play out over time, is anyone's guess.
G'day Fada. Haven't seen you for ages. I sent you an e-mail the other day. Hope you got it. Oh I've written another piece in case you're interested. Lost Love. Sorry Keld. I flogged your thread.
Er, Keld. Who said Sadr was in Iran. Surely you don't believe everything you read?
Hi my dear Sedekka: I am through some botching tasks ..lol .. will tell you in e-mail
About Sadr there are some trusted Iraqi media sources confirming Sadr has a serious diseas or may be passed away in Iran
I believe that he is in Iran because this brutal character who once disguised to kill Sadam by his hands for bitter vendetta , would not stop killing if he i in Iraq.
Good point Fada. Well then I hope he is dead. Oh I also posted a Thank you article to my friends as well. You'll recognize the pic I attached. Remember the smooth skinned Elder?
Thanks Sedekka, I,ll be there when I am back from the clinic
Can't say I'm surprised.
I hope this gets some traction.
While I think it is interesting to consider what proposals the current administration would seek in a new agreement with Iraq I don't suppose they will carry much weight in the long run.
From what I gather on the negotiations for a new SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) US-Iraq pact there are deep disagreements as to the proposals. Even if there are written proposals nothing is done. The current push seems to be for a temporary agreement that would give US legal grounds to remain in Iraq after the 12/08 expiration of the current agreement.
The main sticking points raised by Iraq is about the authority and immunity of US agents operating in Iraq. Iraq is no where near agreeing to US proposals to grant US immunity from Iraqi laws or grant US authority to detain Iraqis.
US Congressional members have voiced opposition to ratifying a US/Iraq agreement negotiated by Bush and threatened to disregard any treaty he enters into without Senate approval. IMO any agreement Bush forms will be transitory. It will be the next administration that may be able to establish ans sustain any new agreement.
(See this letter from US Senator Voinovich to Bush that summarizes the view of US support for Bush negotiated agreements with Iraq and urging a temporary agreement)
Thanks for these links, Meloney. I'll take a closer look a little later.
Keld. Maybe they're in a hurry because the end of the world is only 4 days away.
The fresh Iraqi proposals mentioned in the linked news would not be the same as the ones from the leaked document of US proposals.
The point I'd like to make is that the US proposals in the leaked document are not necessarily going to form part of any agreement. The most basic goal is to create a legal framework in which the US can remain in Iraq (because the current agreement expires at the end of the year). The leaked proposals are interesting in that they give some insight into what Bush is seeking. The Iraqis have objected to the Bush proposals and offered counter proposals.
In addition, even if the Bush administration was to get the Iraqis to sign on to their proposals the agreement then presented to the US for endorsement (ratification) would be scrutinized anew. There has been high level US opposition voiced against some of what Bush is seeking. It is highly unlikely the US would abide an agreement such as the one in the leaked document.
Thanks for this input, Meloney. I think you're quite right about this loose or temporary framework.
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