U.S. blames Iran for delay in Iraq pact

[struggle4progress]

Source: LA Times

With no breakthrough in negotiations on extending the American military mandate in Iraq, which expires Dec. 31, Ambassador Ryan Crocker alleges Tehran is trying to derail the talks.
By Tina Susman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 26, 2008

BAGHDAD -- U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker on Thursday accused Iran of "pushing very hard" to derail a security agreement that would authorize American troops to remain in Iraq past Dec. 31 ...

Iran denies involvement in the violence or interference in the negotiations ...

The White House initially resisted setting a deadline for a troop withdrawal, but Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's government insisted on its inclusion in any agreement. In his firmest statement yet, Maliki said last Wednesday that he expected all foreign troops to be gone from Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011. He said an alternative such as an extension of the U.N. mandate could be difficult to achieve given Russia's strained relations with the United States ...

U.S. negotiators arrived back in Baghdad this week with Washington's response. Crocker refused to give details, but U.S. officials have confirmed that immunity for troops remains the main sticking point ...

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq26-2008sep26,0,7828783.story

[Newsjock]

1. Just when I think another story from The Onion has been accidentally posted to LBN

I see that it's actually a real story. :(

[struggle4progress]

2. !

[BunkerHill24]

3. "As Iraqis Stand Up, We Will Stand Down"!

[skyounkin]

4. Is there anything they won't blame on Iran???

Hell, I waiting on bush to say- the economy sucks cause of Iran!!

[endthewar]

5. He might want war with Iran to jumpstart the military sector of the economy