Iraqi PM demands specific pullout timetable

Iraqi PM demands specific pullout timetable
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Robert H. Reid - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Aug 25, 2008 15:47:01 EDT

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki dug in his heels Monday on the future of the U.S. military in Iraq, insisting that all foreign soldiers leave the country by a specific date in 2011 and rejecting legal immunity for American troops.

Despite the tough words, al-Maliki’s aides insisted a compromise could be found on the two main stumbling blocks to an accord governing the U.S. military presence in Iraq after a United Nations mandate expires at the end of the year.

Last week, U.S. and Iraqi officials said the two sides agreed tentatively to a schedule that includes a broad pullout of combat troops by the end of 2011 with the possibility that a residual U.S. force might stay behind to continue training and advising Iraqi security services.

But al-Maliki’s remarks indicated his government was not satisfied with that arrangement and wants all foreign troops gone by the end of 2011.

That cast doubt on whether an agreement is near and suggested al-Maliki is playing to a domestic audience frustrated by the war and eager for an end to the foreign military presence.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_timetable_082508/%2e

how can we make it right by staying there? digging in the heels of empire right on the necks of the iraqi people, and it makes me sick. it's not okay.