Congress Ramps Up Fight Against Permanent Iraq Bases

[babylonsister]

Congress Ramps Up Fight Against Permanent Iraq Bases
Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2008-02-22 15:59. Congress

By Maya Schenwar, t r u t h o u t


Antiwar Democrats in Congress have failed in almost every one of their attempts to reverse the Bush administration's Iraq policy. However, they are now pursuing what many call a winnable objective: resisting the establishment of a permanent US presence in Iraq.

In late November, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a "Declaration of Principles" setting the stage for long-term, open-ended US military and economic involvement in Iraq.

Later, in a January signing statement attached to a defense policy bill, Bush declared that he would disregard a ban on permanent US military bases in Iraq.

Since then, Bush and Maliki have been moving forward with negotiations on the terms of their agreement, with conversations taking place "largely in secret," according to Sameer Dossani, director of 50 Years Is Enough: US Network for Global Economic Justice. The administration says that a more definitive agreement will be reached "within six months," according to Dossani.

Yet, two weeks ago, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the administration would not seek permanent bases in Iraq, contradicting the sentiments of Bush's signing statement and the Declaration of Principles.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/31238

[stillcool]

1. I don't get it...

What are these?

Extended presence of U.S. in Iraq looms large
$1 billion for construction of American military bases and no public plans


The swimming pool at Balad air base, as seen through the window of a Black Hawk helicopter, 44 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, on Aug. 25, 2005.

updated 10:11 a.m. ET, Tues., March. 21, 2006

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq - The concrete goes on forever, vanishing into the noonday glare, 2 million cubic feet of it, a mile-long slab that’s now the home of up to 120 U.S. helicopters, a “heli-park” as good as any back in the States.

At another giant base, al-Asad in Iraq’s western desert, the 17,000 troops and workers come and go in a kind of bustling American town, with a Burger King, Pizza Hut and a car dealership, stop signs, traffic regulations and young bikers clogging the roads.

At a third hub down south, Tallil, they’re planning a new mess hall, one that will seat 6,000 hungry airmen and soldiers for chow.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11072377

War and Occupation in Iraq
Chapter 10
Long-Term Bases and the New Embassy Compound

“I have never, that I can recall, heard the subject of a permanent base in Iraq discussed in any meeting.”
– US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld <1>

The Base Facilities
As of late 2006, the US had closed many facilities and turned over others to Iraq government forces. There still remain 55 US bases in the country, <4> among which commanders have chosen a small number for long-term or “enduring” development. The base-building process is now far along, with construction of major concrete runways, communications, utilities, and extensive amenities for troops.
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Though Pentagon budgets have made it impossible to determine precisely the sums devoted to Iraq base construction, considerably more than a billion dollars has been spent on these special bases. <5> In the 2006 supplemental budget, $348 million was allocated for further construction. <6>

The key facilities are:

* al-Balad , also known as Camp Anaconda, 68 miles north of Baghdad; all Coalition air activity in Iraq is coordinated at this base
* al-Talil , 14 miles southwest of Nasiriya, in the south
* al-Asad , about 120 miles west of Baghdad , near the Euphrates town of Khan al-Baghdadi
* al-Qayyara , about 50 miles southeast of Mosul , in the north. <7>
* Camp Victory/Camp Liberty , a complex near the Baghdad International Airport , where the US military command has its headquarters
----------------------------------------
Planners reportedly see the bases as playing a political role in Iraq , particularly a capability to “influence” the areas around them and to intervene in local, national or Middle East conflicts. As a senior general involved in the planning told the Washington Post , “We don't want to pick places that are too near Iraqi population centers, but we did want ones that would still allow us to influence an area and give us some power projection capacity.” <9> The term “power projection capacity” apparently refers to potential military strikes against other countries, such as Syria and Iran

These key US bases are enormous. Al-Balad/Anaconda is spread over fifteen square miles <10> while al-Asad and al-Talil bases total nearly twenty square miles each. <11> Even in the vicinity of Baghdad , the US base complex Victory/Liberty is so big that it accommodates a 140 mile triathlon course. <12> A large number of US service personnel are stationed at these facilities, as well as private construction crews and other contract workers. For military personnel alone, al-Balad/Anaconda counts 20,000, <13> al-Asad 17,000 <14> and Victory/Liberty 14,000. <15> Construction and contract crews number thousands more.
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The bases are largely self-sufficient in terms of utilities, including power, phone systems, heating/cooling and hospital facilities. <20> While clean water, electricity or quality medical care are in short supply in the country, the bases are islands of fully-functioning amenities – a long and expensive way from military tents or temporary huts set up hurriedly in the countryside. Ironically, the base projects proceed swiftly towards completion, while construction projects for Iraqis' benefit such as water treatment plants, electricity generating stations, and health care facilities have been plagued by delays, shortfalls and failures.
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The bases provide elaborate amenities to bring a US life style to the troops. In addition to four mess halls and a big sports facility, Balad boasts two huge “post exchange” department stores and several fast food restaurants including a 24-hour Burger King, a Pizza Hut, a Starbucks knockoff called “Green Beans,” and Baskin Robbins ice cream outlets as well as a miniature golf course. <22> Al-Asad has a football field, a Hertz Rent-a-Car office, an internet café, an indoor swimming pool, a movie theater showing the latest releases and even an automobile dealership. It also has a Burger King, a Pizza Hut and other fast food stores. <23> Victory/Liberty likewise has fast-food outlets, an elaborate gymnasium/sports facility, and Iraq 's largest “post exchange” department store. <24> Troops at these bases are provided with air-conditioning, satellite internet access, cable television and international phone service.

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/occupation/report/10bases.htm

[babylonsister]

2. I know, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me either.

Maybe just projects to line friends' pockets?

[stillcool]

3. Unless the U.S. government...

has no legal right to the land or the bases?

[Wizard777]

4. Bush is violating the US Constitution and Maliki is violating the Iraq Constitution with this.

Neither Bush nor Maliki have the power to make this agreement. That must be done by the US Congress and the Iraq Parlament.