Iraqi leader demands firm date for pullout

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Monday that an agreement on the future of U.S. forces in Iraq must include a firm withdrawal date and that Iraq wants the troops out of the country by the end of 2011.

It was the first time al-Maliki explicitly had demanded a fixed deadline for the departure of all U.S. troops from Iraq. His words appeared to rule out the presence of any U.S. military advisers, special forces or air support after the withdrawal date.

The current draft of the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement outlines a conditional timeline of 2011 for U.S. combat troops to be out of Iraq. However, it leaves open the door for the U.S. military to stay on in a noncombat role.

The hardened position came after last week’s visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during which she met with al-Maliki in hopes of clearing obstacles in the way of an agreement. Officials familiar with the talks say the prime minister remains undecided about whether he wants a deal.

After the meeting, the agreement was supposed to be reviewed by al-Maliki, Iraq’s three-member presidency council and Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani. However, the group has yet to convene to review the text.

Speaking before a gathering of Shiite Muslim tribesmen, al-Maliki said negotiations with U.S. officials were ongoing, but he made clear that he was opposed to a timeline based on conditions on the ground. He said the only agreement acceptable to Iraq was one that guaranteed “full sovereignty.”

“There is … agreement between the two sides that there will not be any foreign soldiers in Iraq after 2011,” he said. In July, al-Maliki had said he thought the end of 2010 was the right time frame for the departure of U.S. troops, with the possibility of slight changes.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto responded to questions about al-Maliki’s statement by saying: “Any decisions on troops will be based on the conditions on the ground in Iraq. That has always been our position. It continues to be our position.

“There is no agreement until there’s an agreement signed,” he added. “There are discussions that continue in Baghdad.”

U.S. and Iraqi negotiators have been haggling for months over the security agreement, which needs to be approved by Iraq’s parliament by the end of the year. That is when the U.N. mandate governing the presence of U.S. forces here expires. If a new agreement is not reached, it in effect would leave U.S. forces with no legal standing to be in Iraq.

The issues of a withdrawal deadline and immunity for U.S. forces accused of crimes in Iraq have been major sticking points, and some Iraqi officials close to the negotiations have made clear that the two sides remain deeply divided on those topics.

Monday, al-Maliki ruled out “open immunity” for foreign troops, suggesting a deal was in the works that would grant immunity under certain conditions.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.