U.S. wants military control in Iraq, even after sovereignty handed over

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. wants military control in Iraq, even after sovereignty handed over
By Jim Krane, Associated Press, 3/13/2004 04:01



BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) In less than four months, a sovereign Iraqi government will have authority to impose restrictions on U.S. troops, or even request that they leave.

U.S. military officials here, who are already planning for American forces to be in Iraq through 2005, insist the latter option won't happen.

''We intend to stay here as invited guests as long as we are needed, as long as we are wanted, and as long as we are invited,'' Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy operations chief, said this week.

U.S. officials want to make sure American forces are free to continue to kill insurgents, interrogate prisoners and command Iraq's new security forces.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/073/world/U_S_wants_military_control_in_:.shtml

[Journeyman]

1. Gotta love it. "We have made you free. . .

to do as we say."

[truthisfreedom]

2. that is incredibly rich.

i listened to a piece on NPR today, a live phone interview with a senior in high school in Iraq. it was heartbreaking.

[punpirate]

3. I keep wondering...

... why anyone would be surprised by this news. A substantial component of the invasion was to put a permanent force in Iraq to pose a threat to all other nations in the region.

[hadrons]

4. ''We intend to stay here as invited guests ...."

when was the last time someone brust into your home and said that he "intend to stay here as invited guest"???

[yltlatl]

15. Unless I'm Just Ignorant...

the last time it happened around here, New York was still a colony. A whole generation of "American heroes" fought a quasi-guerilla war w/ the global power of the time just because their "foreign" rulers impinged on their economic freedom: Britain neither dropped 2,000 lb bombs on American cities, nor was there even much of a cultural divide between Britain and the soon-to-be USA. How do people continue to credit the absurd notion that any Iraqis at all but the ones we've installed would want to be occupied by a foreign power?

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. "most Iraqi leaders know they need us," - - oh really ?? - hmmmmm

.
.
.

From the Article:

" ''The good news is most Iraqi leaders know they need us,'' said Michael O'Hanlon, a military analyst with the Brookings Institution in Washington. ''The Iraqis will have the choice to send us home at any time. But if they send us back, we're not necessarily coming back if things fall apart. They know this. Both sides must know it's an Iraqi decision to keep American forces there.''

A treaty governing the status of foreign military forces was supposed to be negotiated this month but was postponed until after the handover, al-Bayati said. Governing Council members thought it too important to be done under the strictures of occupation, he said.

The emerging treaty could restrict U.S. firepower, a worrying possibility for commanders.

''All we want to make sure of is that the missions we are asked to perform are consistent with the commissions of what we are allowed to do,'' the U.S. official said, adding that the military wants to avoid criticisms of U.S. soldiers failing to act because they are not allowed to shoot "

................................................................

WHAT IF

As soon as the Governement is "handed over" - that the Iraqi Council turns around and just tells the US - OK thanks very much, now go home ! ??

NOT that I think the Iraqis are REALLY gonna get their country back from the US this summer, I can't see the US just pulling out ,

but then again, hmmm

- they could always just slip away into Iran and Syria to be "close by" if needed !!

Yah - now THAT I'd believe

[leftchick]

6. the Iraqi "leaders" that want them are the US puppets...

The rest of Iraq does not recognize the US puppets and wants the US out on June 30. I smell a resurgence of the insurgents coming on.

[saigon68]

7. You are right LC

The resistance is going to gear up in the next few months. Look at France in 1943, or Algeria in 1960-1961. Shootings, bombs, all types of mayhem.

The average citicen of Iraq will shrug shoulders and proclaim

"Nothing--I see nothing"

[Mari333]

8. Its getting worse already..email from my stepson in Baghdad

THEY WANT US OUT, WE NEED TO GET OUT NOW BEFORE ONE MORE DIES OR IS WOUNDED
--------------------------------------------------------------



hey

i am fine, just a little tired. we got mortared this morning, but nobody was hurt. i didn't even realize it until the third one exploded, so we went to the prison and sat tight, but three was all they wanted to fire. only one landed in the prison, the others landed near the city outside the gate. they really need to stop doing that. it was no big deal, we all just scratched our heads thinking 'what the hell was that?' then came the realization after i heard fizzing overhead, then figured out that it wasn't some idiot trying to blow something up outside the gate.

honestly, the mortars were the main thing i was concerned about, and after this morning, they don't really bother me. i am never out in the open, so i have nothing to worry about. i wasn't even bothered by them.

anyways, i am fine, still no mail coming in. they say it takes no time at all to get to your side, but forever to get to me. go figure.

i love you
i am wearing my vest right now, so don't worry

[Barkley]

10. Thanks for sharing this message!

Incredible!

The media is not telling us about this so I'm sending it to my friends.

If its alright with you, I am also going to attach your stepson's message to flyers I am distributing for the L.A. March 20 Demonstration
"Bring the Troops Home NOW".

Finally, I'm going to share it with the local high school students I tutor who think the military is 'cool'.

Thanks again

[Mari333]

14. Go right ahead

and print out all the letters from these sites too

http://www.mfso.org
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

and show them this

[Barkley]

16. I Will!

Thanks!

[teryang]

9. Through 2005?

The American government of Iraq expects to be there for at least 5 years. This is what they have stated a number of times. This means for all practical purposes they "intend" to stay forever. Now that the issue is ripening, the double talk is reaching more absurd levels. Invited guests who "command" your defense ministry and security forces?

One can imagine what will happen to Iraqis who call for the American occupation force to leave in its entirety. Visits from American commanded security forces in the middle of the night. This is coming. In fact, it is inevitable. Politicians who choose occupation for security reasons will have no choice.

[rocktivity]

11. Umm...if one nation has military control of another

how can the other nation be considered sovereign?

:shrug:
rocknation

[NickB79]

12. I wonder what Al-Sistani's take on this will be?

Didn't he say all US soldiers out after that June 30 handover or else? Didn't he threaten jihad? Wonder how many of his MILLIONS of followers will accept his call to arms if he does?

[0007]

13. Invited guests? Of whom Ahmed Chalabi?

The U.S. taxpayer will be paying for the protection of Halliburton and the crime cabal as invited guests, LOL!! This is rich!