Secret Iraq Plan

On April 8, 2008, The Guardian reported on a leaked draft agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments concerning the future status of U.S. forces in Iraq.

The plan would set no time limit for troop withdrawal, and would give U.S. troops in the country broad powers to detain, question, and imprison Iraqi citizens.¹

Fast Facts

1. Original agreement signed on March 7, 2008¹
2. New negotiations underway
3. Calls for 50 permanent bases²
4. Allows military immunity from Iraq law²
5. Provides U.S. control of Iraqi airspace under 29,000 ft.²
6. New agreement scheduled to be signed by the end of July 2008²

Controversy

According to the Guardian, Iraqi critics of the agreement, dated March 7 and stamped "secret" and "sensitive", believe it goes far beyond those "status of force agreements" (SOFA) the U.S. maintains with other nations such as South Korea.

The agreement, intended to replace a United Nations mandate set to expire at the end of 2008, is opposed by many lawmakers in both the United States and Iraq. Clashes in late March 2008 between U.S. and Iraqi government forces and the Muqtada al-Sadr-led militias in Basra, say Iraqi critics of the plan, make its passage more unlikely than ever.¹

New Negotiations

According to The Independent newspaper, new negotiations have been taking place in Baghdad that would provide for more than 50 permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. It would also give U.S. military personnel immunity from Iraqi law.²

Quotes

"Iraqi sovereignty would be very much diluted if this pact goes ahead as Washington wants.—Patrick Cockburn,The Independent³

"I’m very comfortable saying to you, to the Iraqis, to anyone who asks, that, no indeed, we are not seeking permanent bases, either explicitly or implicitly."—Ryan C. Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq⁴

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