Long-Term Pact with Iraq Raises Questions

Coyote

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Coyote died for your sheep
More Administration Lies!

The Bush administration said it opposes establishing a permanent military presence in Iraq. In his November 31 speech in Annapolis, President Bush emphasized that more than a dozen bases had been handed over to the Iraqi forces, including Saddam Hussein's former palace in Tikrit.


But what is this secretive deal being worked out that is effectively negotiating a treaty (which they will use all kinds of sophistry to not call it a treaty) without Congressional authorization to establish a permanent presence - a presence that they are attempting to claim as comparable to that in S. Korea but in reality is anything but?

Long-Term Pact with Iraq Raises Questions
by Guy Raz

NPR.org, January 24, 2008 · President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki issued a joint letter in November. On the surface, the "Declaration of Principles" appears as a mutual "expression of friendship," as it has been characterized by administration officials.

But a closer look reveals a blueprint for how the two administrations plan to set the foundation for the future of America's involvement in Iraq.

When administration officials describe that vision, the language they use is vague. The president recently spoke of an "enduring relationship." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks about "a relationship with Iraq for the long term." Defense Secretary Robert Gates outlined "a mutually agreed arrangement whereby we have a long and enduring presence."

Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) says such language is vague, and he has launched a series of congressional hearings to find out what it means.

He's asked administration officials to testify but, so far, they've all either ignored him or declined. Delahunt says they have declined because he and other lawmakers want to get a sense of secret negotiations under way between Pentagon and State Department officials and their Iraqi counterparts on the future relationship between Washington and Baghdad.

The "Declaration of Principles" includes language that seems run-of-the-mill. The United States will help get Iraq into the World Trade Organization. The two countries will engage in scientific and cultural exchanges.

Rest of article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=18357565
 
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