Home » Archives » "Iraqis Say Deal on U.S. Troops Must Be Put Off"

Iraqis Say Deal on U.S. Troops Must Be Put Off

Feb-23-2004 » Filed Under: Iraq News

[Link to Full Article] (Registration required)

By DEXTER FILKINS
Published: February 23, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 22 — Iraq's interim leaders said Sunday that they could not negotiate a formal agreement with the American military on maintaining troops in Iraq, and that the task must await the next sovereign Iraqi government.

The delay could put the Americans in the position of negotiating an agreement with leaders they did not appoint on such sensitive issues as when the use of force would be allowed...

A formal agreement governing American forces in Iraq could touch on many issues, including the number of American troops remaining and their location.

While American troops would still be under American command, such an agreement could limit the circumstances under which the soldiers would be permitted to use force. As a guest rather than an occupying power, the United States would probably have somewhat less leverage than it now has over Iraq's leaders.

"Legally and in every other sense, the new sovereign Iraqi government will have the power to say `Thanks very much, we don't need you, go home,' " said Samir Sumaidy, a member of the Iraqi Governing Council. "That is probably unlikely. But legally we will have the power."

One issue of paramount interest to the Americans is legal immunity. American officials have said they want their soldiers to be protected against local prosecution, while some Iraqi officials say they would insist on the right to prosecute American soldiers who break Iraqi laws.


Advertisements