Iraq says US pact must not harm national interest
BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq's national security council has asked Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to ensure that a pact under discussion to extend the US troop presence beyond 2008 will not harm the national interest.
Washington and Baghdad are holding negotiations on a Status of Forces Agreement aimed at giving a legal basis to the US troops after December 31, when a UN mandate defining the current status of foreign forces expires.
"The Political Council for National Security recommended continuing negotiations between the two sides to reach a result that is satisfactory to the people of Iraq and does not harm its interests," a government statement said.
The council, headed by President Jalal Talabani, said the negotiations covered a wide spectrum of subjects including security, economic, political and military issues, but did not give details of progress so far.
US President George W. Bush and Maliki signed a non-binding statement of principles in November for the negotiations, which began in March with the aim of concluding a pact by the end of July.
There are currently about 150,000 US troops deployed in Iraq, which was invaded by US-led forces in March 2003.
The proposed pact has come under fire from religious and political leaders both in Iraq and in neighbouring Iran.
"This agreement is against Islam," said Salah al-Obeidi, spokesman for the powerful Iraqi anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "There is no religious basis for an agreement like this."
Fighters from Sadr's Mahdi army militia fought deadly street battles with US forces in the Shiite slum bastion of Sadr City in Baghdad for seven weeks until a May 10 truce deal took effect.
Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is yet to publicly comment, but an aide said he has called for the authorities to have a public debate on the issue.
"He has always expected the officials to consult the people before taking a decision," the aide said. "If the majority of the people accept it, then they should go ahead."
When the Bush-Maliki statement was announced in November, a host of Sunni groups also voiced their opposition, warning that it would give the Americans the right to "interfere" in Iraq for years to come.
Last week, a senior cleric in Iran also slammed the proposed accord as treachery to Islam, charging that it would allow US troops to launch attacks from Iraq, it would stop Iraqi courts from trying US nationals, and would put Iraqi ministries under US supervision.
Iran strongly opposes the US military presence in its western neighbour, and has been repeatedly accused by Washington of arming and training Shiite militias in Iraq, particularly Sadr's Mahdi Army.
Tehran denies the allegations and says it backs Maliki's Shiite-led government.
On Saturday, the US ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker visited the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, both key centres for Shiites from around the world, and held talks with local leaders.
US officials said there had been a shift in US relations with the Shiite majority in Iraq. The Americans are now trying to step up their engagement in reconstruction work in Shiite areas and win over local populations.
