Shiite MP calls for calm over Iraq-U.S. security pact

BAGHDADA/IraqiNews.com: lawmaker from the main Shiite bloc on Friday called for rational debate on a U.S.-Iraq security deal. Speaking to worshippers at Buratha mosque in Baghdad, Jalal Eddin al-Sagheer said “the government was still tinkering with a deal to give the U.S. a legal basis for keeping its forces three more years in Iraq”. Al-Sagheer urged against “an outright rejection of the pact”, noting “the agreement advocates and opponents are complicating the process. The pact would remove American forces from Iraqi cities by June 2009, with all U.S. troops out of the country by the end of 2011, unless both sides agree to an extension. But the security agreement faces real problems — clearly more serious today than a few weeks ago. Iraqi leaders are torn between desire for continued U.S. help and the yearning of many Iraqis for an end to what they consider foreign military occupation. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has refused to submit the draft to parliament unless he is certain of strong backing. He fears rivals will use the agreement against him in provincial and national elections next year — a real possibility in a country exhausted by nearly six years of war and eager to end outside domination. AM(S) 1