The Kurdistan Coalition has called for the removal of paragraph 2 of Article 23 of the Iraq-U.S. security pact, which states that Iraq can sign a similar pact with neighboring countries.

Sahdi Barznji, an Iraqi MP with the Kurdistan Coalition (KC), called for the removal of paragraph 2 of Article 23 of the security pact between Iraq and the U.S., saying it "does not serve the interests of the Iraqi people."

Barznji, saying Iraq and the U.S. have nearly reached an agreement, also criticized the Iraqi government for keeping the negotiations and the draft agreement confidential and not informing members of Iraqi Parliament about the details of talks between Iraq and the U.S.

MP Farzand Bawani of the KC explained that, according the paragraph in question, Iraq can sign a similar pact with neighboring countries, which could in turn enable those neighboring countries to harm Kurdistan Region.

MP Mahmud Othman of the KC agreed that any security or political agreement with neighboring countries does not suit the best interests of Kurdish people. He said that in the past, whenever neighboring countries signed agreements with Iraq, they always considered Kurds a threat. Additionally, Othman believes that it is currently impossible for Iraq and the U.S. to reach a consensus.

"There are some groups in Iraq that believe the disagreements between Iraq and the U.S. are too big to be solved right now," said Othman, claiming that both sides need more time and further talks.

Imad Ahmed, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan politburo, said the Kurds' role in security-pact negotiations is limited. "We are part of the negotiations and we are not outside the circle, but we are not playing a major role," he said.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the security pact between Iraq and the U.S. will only be for two to three years. He added that, according to the agreement, the U.S. would respect Iraqi sovereignty and not build any permanent military bases in Iraq. After two to three years, the Iraqi government would decide whether or not to renew the agreement, with changes.

Both sides, Zebari added, are arguing about who should give the orders for any U.S. military operation inside Iraq. Also, whether American soldiers would be given immunity from Iraqi law, who will lead combat missions, and whether or not U.S. personnel may detain Iraqis are also matters of contention between the two parties.

The Iraqis insist American soldiers must be prosecuted in Iraq if they commit "grave intentional mistakes," something Washington does not agree with, said Zebari.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said Iraq is still waiting for a response from the U.S. on proposals regarding the controversial security deal between the two countries.

"Talks are in the final stage and the Iraqi side is waiting for the American side to provide answers on several points that the Iraqi government has raised," Saleh told reporters in the holy city of Najaf where he spoke after meeting revered Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

"This is a dangerous patriotic decision and we want the government to guarantee the sovereignty of Iraq," Saleh said.

By Qassim Khidhir

© The Kurdish Globe 2008

 

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