Military Stands Its Ground (US control, but may consult Iraqis)

[papau]

Seems no "status of forces agreement" so the Iraqi's have no control over US forces beyond asking them to leave.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2026&ncid=2026&e=6&u=/latimests/20040629/ts_latimes/militarystandsitsground

Military Stands Its Ground
By Mark Mazzetti and Patrick J. McDonnell Times Staff Writers

BAGHDAD — With the stroke of a pen and an exchange of documents Monday, the 160,000 foreign troops in Iraq were transformed from occupiers into guests of a U.S.-backed government.

For all the political significance of the moment, the role of the U.S. military here will change very little immediately. Troops still will take orders from a U.S. general and still will have their hands full with an insurgent campaign of bombings, ambushes and assassinations. Not one fewer American soldier or Marine is on Iraqi soil today.

U.S. commanders on the ground say they plan to continue conducting patrols, raids and other operations unless the brass tells them otherwise. It is unlikely that the Americans will even consult the Iraqis if they have a chance to capture or kill major figures in the insurgency.<snip>

Col. Robert B. Abrams, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, said he would continue coordinating with Iraqi forces as he battled Shiite Muslim fighters in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. But he did not plan to ask Iraqis for permission. "It's not going to cramp my style," he said. <snip>

Unlike multitudes of U.S. troops in bases around the globe, those in Iraq will not operate under an accord with the host nation that defines their rights and responsibilities. Washington is relying on the current good relations between the U.S. and Iraq's interim government to continue. Washington also depends on the authority granted to the multinational forces by a June 8 United Nations resolution, which stated that foreign forces may "take all necessary measures" to keep the peace in Iraq. <snip>

[teryang]

1. Two poor indications

No SOFA suggests no sovereignty.

It is also a poor idea from a practical standpoint, it will result in further aggravation and hostility with the locals.

This administration has so many novel (and incompetent) approaches to foreign affairs.

[papau]

2. It appears to be the result of a student who never got more than "partial

credit" on any project - and who continues to do incomplete work.

[FormerOstrich]

3. Did they.....

release or charge those being detained? Wasn't that suppose to happen with the "transfer of power"? What became of the issue?

[Barrett808]

4. Still 4000-5000 detained -- illegally according to human rights groups n/t

[tlcandie]

5. Ahhh, poor Colonel Abrams....

Snipped from the related article...

"It's not going to cramp my style," he said.

I think this accurately sums up the US attitude towards returning purported full sovereignty over to the Iraqis.

[TahitiNut]

6. Puerto Rico has more 'sovereignty' than Iraq.

:puke: