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

[biwee]

Relax, patriotic Americans. Only the treaties approved by the US Senate have any meaning.
Shrub's attempt to tie America down in Iraq via a status of forces agreement will end when
President Obama takes office.

[Marlyn]

"Only the treaties approved by the US Senate have any meaning." ???

GW knows that. That is why this is not a treaty, but rather an "agreement", get it?

[Levittown]

Ironic isn't it. First we screwed up the invasion. Then we screwed up the occupation. And now to top it off we are trying to screw up the peace. Maybe its because the Supreme (?) Court screwed up our electoral process by giving America two class number one screw-ups, George and Dick.

Is there a reverse screw driver we can get to unscrew us from Iraq ?

[blueshield]

Umm, don't relax just yet. According to the Administration, this agreement is explicitly NOT a treaty, and so will take effect without ratification by American and Iraqi legislators. The Bush folks claim extraordinary Executive powers for domestic and international actions, and this is one of the consequences.

[sawdustinhershoes]

Then Obama can take his extraordinary executive powers and wipe out George's toy projects in 09.

[debrouillard]

This is just rediculous. 58 millitary bases in Iraq. Why call it Iraq then,if that should happened,then it will be the 51st state of America. Not many states in even America can boast of that,in fact none. And dont tell me its because no state covers the same surface area ,because California is as big as Iraq in terms of surface area.

This is worst than Colonialism in the dark years of Africa history.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Iraqi Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran."

Bring our "status of forces" HOME!

OBAMA '08!
HOPE & CHANGE!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[2bad]

A few weeks ago, HP ran a story with a link about Iran in the 50s. How it was a stable, peaceful country with a parliamentary government. Then, Britain and America decided it could not or should not control it's own oil reserves. Look what happened to Iran after the Shau was put in place Now, think Iraq! Sound familiar? "Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it."

[Marlyn]

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE!

USA OUT OF IRAQ NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TomPaine07]

I voted for Clinton, however, when I read about the militaries request for 58 bases in Iraq, I decided that I will vote for Obama, even though I believe that he is less qualified for the presidency than Clinton. However, let me stipulate, that neither would have been my choice. Once again, we are stuck in a no-win position between Iraq and a hard place.

[evekendall]

Abraham Lincoln would not have appeared to be qualified to be President since he only served one two-year term in Congress before running for the presidency. He was elected, however, and turned out to be one of our country's greatest Presidents.

[HanFeiTzu]

Why bother with differential editing by moderators! Who hires those guys?

[cimwright]

Kucinich presents Bush impeachment articles

"An Ohio Democratic lawmaker and former presidential candidate has presented articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush to Congress.

Thirty-five articles were presented by Rep. Dennis Kucinich to the House of Representatives late Monday evening, airing live on C-SPAN June 9th, 2008

Why is this not being covered by any US media. This is big news and not even one mention anywhere.
Go on YouTube to see the coverage: /watch?v=JLf-URIyHv4

[Babaree]

This story gives me the creeps. Why isn't this getting any coverage? Indefinite occupation? The power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq? They want to colonize Iraq so they have the bases in place to expand the war into Iran... and get it in place before November. They will either tie this to the high price of oil for justification, or "create" another major event. Why aren't the anti-war democrats addressing the details of this issue? This debate needs to be in open forum.

[rbspickles]

I want these imperialists OUT OF MY COUNTRY! I want to indict them for war crimes and crimes against humanity. I want them to be convicted as traitors to our country and our beliefs! I want them to be tried in a court of LAW! I am sick and tired of their bullsh*)! and WE THE PEOPLE need to get it done. No more waiting. GET THEM OUT NOW! No more investigations, no more inquiries. The proof's there. Indict! Impeach! Imprison!

[Peace15Progress]

American Empire. The military industrial complex loves it. That's why they love McCain!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlX9l1g1ZE0

Let's see what desperate and nefarious measures they'll take to elect him.

[hchriste]

This is not a treaty and doesn't need the approval of Congress to comit U.S. troops to Iraq forever. The country of Iraq is already being carved up by the oil companies as part of the Cheney energy plan also part of the plan is the total occupation of Iraq. The next phase occupation of Iran. Then we will have them all, Saudi, UEA, Iraq, and Iran. Master plan. The main stream media is still reporting label pins and terriorists, they are out of touch or maybe they are controled by the industrial military complex and oil companies and therefore report nothing. hmm, I wonder.

[usapatriot1973]

And because of this ongoing occupation and other dirty deeds performed by "our" government in the name of imperialism and greed, there will be more terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. As I have said for years, anyone who believes this administration has made us safer is a fool.

[piul05]

And then people wonder why people around the world is increasingly hostile towards the US...

How's that again? Something to do with chickens, roost, home...?

[lornejl]

Sniff....sniff....smells like Imperialism.

[guajiro]

Bush from his 100, 000 acre ranch in Paraguay: "It's not about the oil, It's not about the oil, It's not about the oil....".

http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/bush-family-purchases-100000-acres-in-paraguay/