Under Iraq troop pact, U.S. can't leave any forces behind

[babylonsister]

Under Iraq troop pact, U.S. can't leave any forces behind

By Leila Fadel | McClatchy Newspapers


BAGHDAD — The status of forces of agreement between the United States and Iraq is now called the withdrawal agreement, and that's exactly what it is: an ultimate end to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.

If Iraq's parliament endorses the agreement, in six weeks American forces would have to change the way they operate in Iraq, and all U.S. combat troops, police trainers and military advisers would have to leave the country by Dec. 31, 2011. President-elect Barack Obama's campaign plan to leave a residual force of some 30,000 American troops in Iraq would be impossible under the pact.

Unless the agreement is amended, which would require the formal written approval of both sides, in three years there no longer would be any legal basis for U.S. armed forces or civilian contractors of the Department of Defense to remain in Iraq.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/56110.html

[Muttocracy]

1. thanks - I thought that's what I heard on Air America earlier but wasn't sure. nt

[babylonsister]

3. Plans for withdrawal are being drawn up, too. I'm thrilled!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4489886&mesg_id=4489886

[Inexpensive Wino]

2. Well, that went really well, did it not?

Hail fellow, well met.

[daninthemoon]

4. Is there any down side to this? It seems to me that it means we can

get the hell out of there, and te Iraqis that signed off on this take responsibility for what happerns after. I like it, let's do it.

[babylonsister]

5. I LOVE it! nt