Iraq wants Change in Pact with US

Iraqi refugees hold up their national flag at a demonstration outside the US and Iraqi embassies in Damascus, on 29 October 2008, against the deadly US raid on the village in Syria. Around a hundred displaced Iraqis chanted anti-US slogans as they demonstrated today outside the US and Iraqi embassies, the two embassies being in close proximity to each other, in Damascus protesting a deadly US attack that killed eight civilians in Syria, on 26 October 2008.

29 October 2008

Iraq wants a security agreement with the U.S. to include a clear ban on U.S. troops using Iraqi territory to attack Iraq's neighbors, the government spokesman said Wednesday, three days after a dramatic U.S. raid on Syria.

Also Wednesday, the country's most influential Shia Sheikh expressed concerned that Iraqi sovereignty be protected in the pact. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani wields vast influence among the Shia majority and avast number of Sunni.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the ban was among four proposed amendments to the draft agreement approved by the Cabinet this week and forwarded to the U.S.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said U.S. negotiators in Iraq are closely reviewing the new amendments from the Iraqis to see if they are acceptable to the Bush administration.

Al-Dabbagh said the Iraqis want the right to declare the agreement null and void if the U.S. unilaterally attacks one of Iraq's neighbors.

U.S. troops launched a daring daylight attack Sunday into Syrian territory that caused the deaths of eight civilians, which Syria has demanded an apology.

For nearly two weeks, Iraqi politicians have been considering the draft security agreement, which the majority of the Iraqi people demand that US military leave Iraq by 2009.

The pact is also allegedly to give the Iraqis a greater role in supervising U.S. military operations and allow Iraqi courts to try U.S. soldiers and contractors accused of major crimes off duty and off base; which the Iraqi people should have the right to control crime within there country especially under the conditions of occupation and oppression by foreign invaders.

The agreement must be approved by the end of the year when the current U.N. mandate expires or the U.S. military would have to suspend all operations in Iraq.

Al-Dabbagh said other amendments sought by the Iraqis include a clear definition of "duty" when cases arise involving crimes committed off base. The Iraqis also want to inspect all U.S. military shipments entering or leaving Iraq.

"The Americans must realize that these changes are necessary to enable the government to persuade the people to accept the agreement," al-Dabbagh said.

The Iraqis insist those measures are essential to convince the public that the government is truly sovereign, a theme repeated by al-Sistani.

A statement issued by his office said the Shia Sheikh wants to ensure that "Iraq's sovereignty not be breached" by the accord and that he was monitoring the situation "until the final content of the security agreement becomes clear."

The U.S. military, meanwhile, handed over security responsibilities for the southern province of Wasit to Iraqi authorities; it is being said in the U.S. media.

On Wednesday, attacks in numerous manners are still plaguing the Iraq civilians, by attacks said to still be from the U.S. military. Which it is estimated at 29 wounded, 15 dead, which includes one dead child; 5 year-old.