FM says security deal requires “courageous decision”

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi foreign minister on Tuesday said that signing a security deal with the United States requires a “courageous decision” by Iraqi leaders, noting that the two sides have reached solutions that are acceptable to both governments. “After returning home, the U.S. negotiating delegation showed great flexibility in dealing with disputed issues,” Hoshyar Zibari said during a Baghdad-based press conference that was attended by IraqiNews.com. Negotiations are currently underway between the Iraqi and U.S. government over a long-term security agreement that is expected to regulate the presence of U.S. troops when a UN mandate expires at the end of 2008. Declining to provide further information about the scheduled date for signing the agreement, Zibari said that meetings will soon be held among political blocs and parties to reach a decision on the matter. A declaration of principles was signed between U.S. President George W. Bush and the Iraqi premier in December 2007. The declaration was scheduled to be ratified on July 31, 2008 and to come into force as of January 1, 2009. The agreement governs the presence of U.S. forces in the country after 2008 and will not come into force without the approval of the Iraqi Parliament, which has 275 members from five blocs, in addition to the Sadrist movement and al-Fadhila party. The U.S. troops’ presence currently relies on a mandate by the United Nations and is annually renewed at the request of the Iraqi government.   SS (S) 1