Iraqi govt. allocates $100 million for referendum on security agreement

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s Council of Ministers on Tuesday allocated nearly $100 million for a referendum on the security agreement between Iraq and the U.S. , the official spokesman for the Iraqi government said. “The Council of Ministers decided during its 21st session to allocate $99.575 million to draft a referendum on the security agreement signed between Iraq and the U.S. to allow the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to prepare for holding it,” Ali al-Dabagh said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. On November 27, 2008, the Iraqi Council of Representatives passed a security agreement with the United States , known as the Status-of-Forces Agreement, or SOFA, just 10 days after the Iraqi cabinet approved it with an overwhelming majority. The agreement stipulated that a public referendum should be held in July 2009. SH (P)/SR 1