Protect Our Troops
Remember that problematic Status of Forces Agreement between the US and Iraq--the one that's been kicking around forever, sticking mainly on the matter of who--the US or Iraq--would have legal jurisdiction over American troops and contractors serving in Iraq?
And remember how the US has said that US jurisdiction over US personnel was non-negotiable?
Well, it looks as if everything is negotiable in the Mesopatamian souk. From today's Washington Post, a story about the latest "draft agreement":
BAGHDAD, Oct. 17 -- A number of senior Iraqi and U.S. politicians expressed strong reservations Friday about the terms of a draft agreement that gives IraqU.S. military bases here. the "primary right" -- subject to U.S. acquiescence -- to try American soldiers accused of serious crimes committed during off-duty hours outside
Hmm. Now why would Iraqis be upset?
Some political leaders in Baghdad, who got their first look at the controversial agreement to extend the U.S. military presence in Iraq beyond 2008, said it did not go far enough in guaranteeing Iraqi sovereignty.
In other words, there are no provisions to fry American troops in oil.
The bilateral accord was presented Friday to the Political Council for National Security, an advisory body including political, legislative and judicial leaders, whose support is necessary before it can be submitted to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's cabinet and then to parliament for final approval. After an initial review, the council said it would continue discussions next week.
And the US?
In Washington, congressional Democrats questioned ceding any authority over U.S. troops to Iraq. "I am very concerned about reports that U.S. service personnel may not have full immunity under Iraqi law," said Rep. Ike Skelton House Armed Services Committee chairman.
Well, I am not a congressional Democrat, and I am "concerned" too. Where are congressional Republicans on this?
The Bush administration allowed a small group of senior congressional aides to read the document at a White House briefing this morning but did not allow copies to be made.
A provision in the draft would give the United States "primary" jurisdiction over military personnel and Defense Department employees who are on bases or engaged in authorized military operations.
Iraq, it says, would have the "primary right to exercise judicial jurisdiction" over "premeditated and gross felonies . . . committed outside the agreed facilities and areas and when not on a mission." Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Friday that any disagreement would be resolved by a joint committee. "If the crime is very grave or serious, the U.S. may waive its jurisdiction," he said.
Gee, thanks.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that "there is not a reason to be concerned."
What, me worry?
He said top U.S. military officials "are all satisfied that our men and women in uniform serving in Iraq are well protected." U.S. officials have emphasized that off-duty American troops in Iraq rarely, if ever, venture outside their bases, and said that they consider language in the document vague enough to ensure absolute U.S. control in all circumstances....
Is the US Secretary of Defense kidding? Does he really believe that "vague" language in the agreement will protect Americans from potentially vengeful Iraqi courts?
The accord also would prohibit U.S. forces from detaining any Iraqi citizen without an Iraqi warrant, and says any detainee would have to be handed over to government custody within 24 hours. All Iraqis in U.S. custody as of Jan. 1 -- when the agreement would go into effect upon expiration of the current U.N. mandate authorizing foreign troops here -- would have to be turned over to the Iraqi government. Home and property searches also would require an Iraqi warrant, except during certain combat situations.
Is it just me, or does anyone else feel this document turns the United States military into a glorified rent-a-cop service in the employ of a foreign government?
U.S. and Iraqi officials confirmed the wording of the document, portions of which were widely circulated in both capitals Friday.
The sensitivity of the draft agreement, which has been under negotiation since March, was illustrated when Maliki lashed out at the top American commander here for saying that U.S. intelligence indicated Iran was trying to bribe Iraqi lawmakers to reject the pact.
"The American commander has risked his position when he spoke in this tone and has complicated relations in a deplorable way," Maliki told a group of Kuwaiti journalists in an interview broadcast by Iraqi state television Friday.
Blood pressure rising, anyone?
Maliki expressed astonishment at the remarks from U.S. Gen. Ray Odierno, whom he described as a "kind and good man." Iraqi members of parliament, he said, had not accepted any bribes.
Oh, heavens, no!
Maliki was reacting to a Monday article in The Washington Post in which Odierno said Iran was conducting a "full-court press" with its Iraqi contacts to sabotage the pact, including "coming in to pay off people to vote against it." A U.S. military spokesman later said there was no confirmation that bribes had been accepted by lawmakers.
A number of Iraq's leading political leaders spent years in exile in Iran during the presidency of Saddam Hussein and maintain warm relations with the Tehran government. Several expressed sharp offense at Odierno's comments.
Jalal al-Deen al-Saghir, a top lawmaker from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, Maliki's main political partner, said in an interview that he saw "serious problems" in the proposed accord, "especially after Odierno's statements."
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Friday that there was a misunderstanding about Odierno's comments. "I don't think General Odierno was implying that there are crooked Iraqi politicians, but rather that there are Iranian agents who, in their attempt to derail the [agreement], are trying to bribe Iraqi politicians," he said.
Anyone who can parse that one gets a can of Iraqi oil.
In Najaf, the religious capital of Iraq's Shiite majority, a leading cleric blasted the idea of giving U.S. forces any immunity from Iraqi law. "We consider this a basic point because it represents sovereignty," Sadir Addin al-Qobanchi said in a sermon at the city's grand mosque. "If someone commits a hostile act against your house and family, and you say it is fine and don't hold him responsible, it means that you don't have dignity or sovereignty."
U.S. military and political officials have expressed concern that the agreement may not make it through Iraq's slow-moving political process by year's end. An extension of the U.N. mandate, the most likely option if a final agreement is not reached, poses political and legal complications for both sides.
Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish lawmaker, said the agreement could gain the approval of the political council and the cabinet. But in parliament, supporters of the agreement "will face opposition," he said. The accord, which must win a majority in the 275-seat parliament, is strongly supported by the Kurdish bloc, the second-biggest with 54 seats. Various Sunni and independent parties representing scores of seats have also indicated their approval.
But Othman said the backing of some politicians was not solid.
"They tell the Americans, 'We are okay, we'll sign it.' Then they tell their people in parliament not to vote for it," he said.
When are we going to learn?
The U.S. Congress does not have similar veto power over the agreement, which requires only a presidential signature. But senior Democrats, and a number of Republicans, have questioned its terms.
Glad someone is sticking up for out team (as opposed to the White House).
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) said in a statement Friday that complete American jurisdiction over U.S. service members was "critical" and that they could not be "subject to criminal prosecution in an Iraqi judicial system that does not meet due process standards." Levin said he would "reserve judgment" on the draft until he was given an opportunity for a "complete review" of its terms.
It is a topsy turvy world indeed when Carl Levin is making the case for our troops and George W. Bush isn't.