15 October 2008
If the U.S. and Iraq do not reach an accord, U.S. troops may not stay beyond. Dec. 31st. It would take an extension of United Nations mandate that expires at the end of the year. That extension would have to be voted upon by a Security Council vote which may be complicated by governments that are opposed to the U.S. led war. In my opinion, this would be an ideal way to get our troops home.
Legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops and immunity for possible crimes has been a sticking point in the negotiations. Iraq’s most influential Shiite cleric, Ali Sistani has said he will not endorse any document without the support of Iraq’s population and political factions. If negotiations or a U.N. extension fall thru, U.S. troops would be confined to their bases and have to withdraw from Iraq.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says that he is reasonably optimistic that things will be resolved in the near future. I sure hope that he is wrong. Bush administration officials blamed Iranian meddling for keeping Shiite leaders from going forward. Never thought I’d say hurrah for Iran.
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