6 June 2008
I might have guessed that Bush would do some dirty dealing before he left office. It has just been leaked that he is making a secret deal in Baghdad that would create an American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, no matter who takes office after the election. Such a deal will have a striking political effect in Iraq. This is a quote from the source “Iraqi officials fear that the accord, under which U.S. troops would occupy permanent bases, conduct military operations, arrest Iraqis and enjoy immunity from Iraqi law, will destabilize Iraq’s position in the Middle East and lay the basis for unending conflict in their country.” Iraq isn’t the only place such a deal will cause problems but right here at home.
Bush is trying to set such a deal up before he leaves office so he can declare a military victory and claim that the invasion has been vindicated. Sorry to say, I think that our president is a slimeball. Iraqi officials are worried that such a deal would
destabilize Iraq’s position in the Middle East and lead to continued internal conflict. A long-term occupation would undercut Barack Obama’s pledge to withdraw U.S. troops if he is elected president. On the other hand John McCain, claims the United States is on the verge of victory in Iraq and that victory would be thrown away by early withdrawal of troops. I’d like to know just what McCain believes is “victory” in Iraq.
Here is another quote ” Under the terms of the new treaty, the Americans would retain the long-term use of more than 50 bases in Iraq. American negotiators are also demanding immunity from Iraqi law for U.S. troops and contractors, and a free hand to carry out arrests and conduct military activities in Iraq without consulting the Baghdad government”. I find it hard to believe that the Iraqis would sanction such a treaty.
Bush is trying very hard to force the Iraqi government to accept the plan without any modifications. The Iraqis see the whole deal as a way to dominate the region and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker with Vice President Dick Cheney pushing him, has spent weeks trying to make the deal a reality. It may be that the Iraqi Prime Minister, who may be personally opposed to the terms of the new pact, feels that his government cannot stay in power without the U.S. behind him. The last thing that the U.S. wants is the new security agreement being put to a referendum in Iraq, for fear that it would be voted down.
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