US Wants 58 Bases In Iraq, Shiite Lawmakers Say

McClatchy reports the U.S. is demanding 58 military bases in Iraq as part of a "status of forces" agreement that would allow American troops to remain in Iraq indefinitely:

Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed "status of forces" agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely.

Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran.

"The points that were put forth by the Americans were more abominable than the occupation," said Jalal al Din al Saghir, a leading lawmaker from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. "We were occupied by order of the Security Council," he said, referring to the 2004 Resolution mandating a U.S. military occupation in Iraq at the head of an international coalition. "But now we are being asked to sign for our own occupation. That is why we have absolutely refused all that we have seen so far."

The proposed "status of forces" agreement could lead to an uprising in Iraq, according to a leading Iraqi cleric:

A leading Iraqi Shiite cleric said Monday the status of forces agreement between Washington and Baghdad could lead to an uprising in Iraq.

"It is not to the benefit of the U.S. as a major power to lessen the sovereignty of Iraq. This treaty is humiliating to the Iraqi people, and might cause an uprising against it and those who support it," Grand Ayatollah Mohammad al-Modarresi told the Iranian state-run English-language service, Press TV.

Modarresi said the strategic framework between Iraq and the United States needs a full understanding of the situation in Iraq before negotiations on the arrangement proceed. "It will surely fail if kept as it is," he said.

Comments

[AZM]

We have families in this country that cannot afford to put food on their tables and, yet, we can afford to put 57 military installations in Iraq?
Meanwhile we have women who are pissed off because Hillary did not get the nomination and they are promising to vote for McCain?
More and more, it seems that we get what we deserve!

[Krikkit]

All no-bid contracts, too. Bush's rich buddies just keep getting richer at the expense of the entire world.

[pahpah25]

I SORT OF WONDERED ABOUT THAT....HOW WE CAN WE AFFORD 58 FORIEGN MILITARY BASES? WHAT ABOUT OUR OUT-OF -WORK AMERICANS....RAHTER THAN BIULD 58 BASES IN IRAQ.LETS TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE HERE.

[Chicago48]

This insures that we will be more in debt, in deficit, and it means that the Russians better watch out. do you think Russia likes this move? H*** no!

[marksiet]

Oh come on now why not go for 60 bases. Gee I wonder who gets to build these bases with their usual cost overruns and overcharging ten times for everything. It wouldn't be some of Bushies cronies would it be? They want the bases to ensure that even if we start leaving we will have to come back to occupy these bases. Bush and company keep getting more and more outrageous. John McCain is right there with him toe to toe trying to rake in that oil dough.

[skyreader7]

Well, here we finally have it. The true reason we are there:

Iraqi, inc.

[continental]

Does anyone remember "We'll be there (in Iraq) just long enough to finish the job, and not one day longer." That's what the bushies kept saying during the buildup to the war.

[SeaOats]

They lied.

[Barky]

Why isnt Obama raising this so called agreement as an issue. This is outrageous. The Iraqis either want forces there or do not. Simple.

Time for the Democrats to say something. McClatchy papers who wrote the piece, again (they are the only ones who consistently questioned the invasion), aseem to be the only ones doing any digging.

[4mikeryan]

This is typical Bush meneuvering. When are we going to put a stop to this? What is congress doing about this and why, one must ask is: Why the MSM not investigating this as necessary?

McSame is on record as supporting this and the MSM should call him on it.

[SmellyOne]

I hope the Iraqis stand their ground. We don't need a bunch of targets for attacks.

We need to be friends with Iraq, but not THAT good of friends...

[trollsbwild]

So much for Bush's statement that this war was not an open ended committment. Dennis K is right on the money on the floor today.

Bush has to be impeached, or otherwise we run the risk of a future administration abusing it's power again.

[MikeDu]

It shows you the U.S. status in the country when even the Iraqi Quisling collaborator government we set up, who would be in danger of being hung as traitors if we left, don't want us to stick around! I can't help thinking the concept of the U.S. 'winning' in Iraq is roughly equivalent to a rapist succeeding in impregnating his victim. 'Winning' wouldn't turn this travesty it into a noble cause.

[Powderhound522]

rofl... favorite

[JTyroler]

58 military bases? Does that mean only 35 will have any construction and 3 bases will actually be useable?

[blueshield]

Just enough to secure the WalMarts.

[The Impartial]

You meant 55 to be built? How? On papers without accountability? i.e. more money into their pockets before stepping down.

[JTyroler]

Using the completion rates for schools, hospitals, and just about any other contracted building in Iraq (some of which have been paid for and nothing was construction), American tax payers will probably pay for 58 bases, but only about 3 will actually be useable.

Much of the war costs in Iraq is going to contractors - who, often do not do the work that we are paying for.

[Gumby123]

If Obama gets elected as Prez, this won't happen right?

[Gary47]

Electing your dead dog could've prevented this.

[socalbuddy]

On July 25th, 2007, the House passed H.R. 2929, Banning Permanent U.S. Bases in Iraq. This bill states that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing a permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq. It also states that it is the policy of the United States not to exercise U.S. control of the oil resources of Iraq. The measure bars the use of any funds provided by any law from being used to carry out any policy that contradicts these statements of policy.
The shrub has made clear his intention to ignore this law.

[Yvaughn]

*thunk* *thunk* *thunk*
(The sound of me pounding my head against the wall)

My apologies for crudeness, but as the bumper sticker says, "who does one have to blow to get a president impeached around here?"

Go Kucinich. And here's to the the Iraqis standing their ground. Maybe the rest of the world can help them--which, speaking as an American wanting world-help to stand against the government of America, is just plain sad.

[deecee22]

BE CAREFUL. YVAUGHN...............YOU SOUND TO BE AGREEING WITH REV. WRIGHT

[apwerner]

Lord help us. Bush needs to get the HECK out of there. Leave them alone. Get us out of there. He scares me so much.

[RoCali]

I feel sick. My son will never come home at this rate. We need to get our kids out of that bloody place. This is insane.

[SeaOats]

It was insane from the start. My son's there now, and pretty much planning on being stop-lossed for another tour. What little he says about what he does or the situation there seems to have a theme - how meaningless it all is, and how little faith they have in our politicians to get them out there.

[SeaOats]

"out OF there."