Burning issue … supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr protest against a deal that may allow US troops to stay in Iraq after the end of the year. (Photo: Getty Images taken from Sydney Morning Herald)US-Iraqi Security Pact Still Unsettled -- Christian Science Monitor
Amid growing opposition, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called on Sunday for more time to negotiate a plan that could begin US troop withdrawals in June 2009.
BAGHDAD - Opposition is growing here to a draft US-Iraq security pact that would shape the future of America's military role in Iraq.
After months of negotiations and an end-of-year deadline looming, the ruling Shiite coalition of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Sunday that some points "need more time, more discussion, more dialogue, and amendments to some articles."
As Iraqi and US leaders try to sell the pact to lawmakers in Baghdad and Washington, the deal exposes a potent mix of political and military risks. Upcoming US elections and a nationwide Iraq vote in January further complicate matters.
"We're going through a smoke-and-mirrors process," says Toby Dodge, an Iraq analyst at Queen Mary, University of London. "Maliki is positioning himself for the most nationalistic result [but he also] knows how much he needs the Americans."
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More News On The Iraq-U.S. Security Pact
Shiite Bloc's Demands Stall U.S.-Iraq Pact -- Washington Post
Iraqi Coalition Calls for Changes to US Military Plan -- Voice Of America
New bid to seal Iraq troop deal -- BBC
New Doubts Cloud Iraqi Security Pact With U.S. -- New York Times
Iraq sends draft of U.S. security pact to Cabinet -- L.A. Times
Iraqi protesters fire up over US troop deal -- Sydney Morning Herald
U.S.-Iraq security pact faces objections -- China View
Iraqi faction seeks to tighten rules for US troop mandate -- Financial Times
Al-Maliki Postpones Australia Visit to Focus on U.S.-Iraq Deal -- Bloomberg