Iraq Approves Deal Charting End Of U.S. Role, (New York Times)…Alissa Rubin and Campbell Robertson, Nov 28, 2008. With a substantial majority, the Iraqi Parliament on Thursday ratified a sweeping security agreement that sets the course for an end to the United States’ role in the war and marks the beginning of a new relationship between the countries.
Security Accord Approved In Iraq, (Washington Post)…Sudarsan Raghavan…The agreement is a significant victory for Maliki, who can take credit for ushering in the end of the U.S. intervention in Iraq. That feat could bolster his influence and popularity ahead of provincial and national elections scheduled for next year.
Iran In About-Turn Towards Security Agreement, (Financial Times)…Najmeh Bozorgmehr. …People close to the government in Tehran said that after initially opposing it – and asking its Shia allies in the Baghdad government to resist it – Tehran has been relatively satisfied with the last-minute changes demanded, and won, by Iraq.
New Security Deal Passes Iraq’s Parliament, (NBC)…Jim Miklaszewski
…David, this new security deal could signal the beginning of the end for U.S. military presence in Iraq, but it comes with strings attached that could have serious consequences.
The Iraqi government will now have some say, if not control, over all U.S. military operations. The U.S. military will now need search warrants to enter homes or buildings when looking for enemy forces except during combat. U.S. service members and private contractors could also be subject to arrest and prosecution under Iraqi laws for serious crimes. And U.S. forces cannot launch cross-border attacks from Iraq against other countries, even in self-defense.
Now, one senior Pentagon official tells NBC News that these new ground rules are sure to create some tensions, maybe even a standoff or two, between Iraqi and American forces. But this person added that these kinds of steps are absolutely necessary if American troops are ever going to get out of Iraq.
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