cem
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 28 May 2008
Posts: 484
|
 Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:51 am Post subject: US Plans to Stage Bomb Attacks in Iraq |
 |
|
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8709050246
US Plans to Stage Bomb Attacks in Iraq
Fars News Agency, 25 November 2008
| Quote: | US troops plan to launch a series of bomb attacks in different parts of Iraq to force the country's parliament to approve the controversial security pact through insecurity in the war-torn country, a source said.
"Following increasing protests by the people in Iraq against the approval of the security pact with the US and the likely disapproval of the agreement by the Iraqi parliament, the US military troops are planning several explosions in different parts of Iraq, particularly in Baghdad, to create an atmosphere of insecurity and pressurize the Iraqi parliament and government," an informed source told FNA.
The US has for months been in talks with Iraqi officials to get them to sign a provocative security agreement which secures long-term US presence in Iraq.
If ratified by the Iraqi parliament, the Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) would also grant US forces in Iraq immunity from prosecution.
It also gives the occupation forces a free rein to stage military operations wherever and whenever they deem necessary.
The proposed pact has faced widespread opposition among Iraqi people and politicians.
Many fear Washington has plans to keep permanent bases, despite a denial of any such plan written into the agreement. Iraqis say the agreement would infringe on Iraq's sovereignty by giving US forces too much freedom to operate.
"Americans intend to spread these bomb attacks to the Al-Khadra' region (the Green Zone)," the source added.
Al-Khadra' is a maximum security region in Baghdad where most diplomatic centers and missions are located.
"Before the endorsement of the security pact by the Iraqi government, Americans had clearly warned that they would freeze the country's assets in case Baghdad refused to sign the agreement," the source said, adding, "Spreading rumors about possible coup d'état was also among the other pressure levers used by the Americans to bully the Iraqi statesmen into signing the security pact."
Iraqi cabinet last Sunday approved signing the deal with the US according to which American troops must evacuate the country by the end of 2011.
Last Monday, Hoshiyar Zebari and US ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker signed the draft of the agreement which took a year to reach this point.
Iraq's parliament must approve the deal which has also faced strong criticism from members of al-Maliki's own coalition. The Iraqi parliament is due to announce its view on the agreement through a vote on November 26.
Two Iraqi officials familiar with the negotiations have warned that opposition in the legislature was so widespread that it stood no chance of winning approval without significant changes in the US position. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secrecy surrounding the negotiations. |
|
|
cem
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 28 May 2008
Posts: 484
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: Secret SOFA provisions exposed |
|
|
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=76714§ionid=351020201
Secret SOFA provisions exposed
Press TV, 27 November 2008
| Quote: | An Iraqi media outlet has exposed 'secret' provisions of the US-sought security pact amid ongoing parliamentary deliberations on the deal.
The US seeks to legitimize its presence in Iraq beyond the expiration of its December 31 UN mandate in the country. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) it has pressured Iraq to finalize could provide Washington the legal backing it needs.
As far as the actual content of the pending SOFA is concerned, the White House has refused to publish the official English text of the agreement.
While US and Iraqi government officials have alleged that no part of the US agreement has been kept confidential, al-Moheet on Wednesday published what it called secret segments of the pending agreement.
The 'secret' articles posted on the Arabic-language website follows:
1. US forces are authorized to set up military bases to support Iraqi troops based on the security situation in the country.
2. This document is an agreement and not a treaty.
3. The Iraqi government and judiciary cannot prosecute US civilians or military personnel stationed in the country. All Americans are subject to immunity.
4. US forces are authorized to set up security establishments such as prison centers, which will be operated by the US military.
5. US forces have the privilege to do as they please inside their military bases and in transit. The Iraqi government has no authority to intervene.
6. US forces are authorized to arrest individuals who disrupt security and stability without Iraqi government approval.
7. The Iraqi intelligence, interior and defense ministries will remain under US supervision for 10 years.
The US-proposed SOFA has been passed by the Iraqi Cabinet and has received parliamentary approval but will be put to a referendum in 2009. |
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Chat
Usergroups
Calendar
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
