IRAQ: A senior lawmaker says that Iraq's parliament will insist on vetting any security pact the government agrees with the United States

Record ID: 1540657

  • Title: IRAQ: A senior lawmaker says that Iraq's parliament will insist on vetting any security pact the government agrees with the United States
  • Date: 9th July 2008
  • Summary: (MER2) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 8, 2008) (REUTERS) KHALID AL-ATTIYA, THE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF IRAQ'S PARLIAMENT AND SENIOR MEMBER OF THE RULING SHI'ITE ALLIANCE SITTING DOWN FOR INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALID AL-ATTIYA, THE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF IRAQ'S PARLIAMENT SAYING: "The immunity, as I said that renders U.S. troops completely outside of Iraqi jurisdiction and law, I do not think Iraq's parliament will agree on this." AL-ATTIYA SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALID AL-ATTIYA, THE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF IRAQ'S PARLIAMENT SAYING: "If the two sides reach an agreement, this is between two countries, and according to the Iraqi constitution a national agreement must be agreed by parliament by a majority of two thirds. Thus, this agreement should be passed through the parliament." IRAQI FLAG END OF INTERVIEW/ AL-ATTIYA LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2008 09:17
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA46GK3EGIALBWJA1212V3MVAWC
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: A senior lawmaker says that Iraq's parliament will insist on vetting any security pact the government agrees with the United States and will likely veto the document if American troops are immune from Iraqi law Iraq's parliament will insist on vetting any security pact the government agrees with the United States and will likely veto the document if American troops are immune from Iraqi law, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday (July 8).
    Baghdad and Washington are negotiating a deal to provide a legal basis for U.S. troops to operate in Iraq when a U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.
    While the United States has backed down on some key Iraqi demands, it would be virtually unthinkable for Washington to allow U.S. soldiers to be subject to Iraqi law.

    "The immunity that renders U.S. troops completely outside of Iraqi jurisdiction and law, I do not think Iraq's parliament will agree on this," Khalid al-Attiya, the deputy speaker of parliament and a senior member of the ruling Shi'ite Alliance, told Reuters in an interview.
    Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday said the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq could be governed by a memorandum of understanding. He also raised for the first time the prospect of setting a timetable for their withdrawal.
    Maliki's preference for a memorandum of understanding, which could be an attempt to bypass parliament, is in contrast to earlier talks which have all been leading to the signing of a formal Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
    Iraq's government has said a SOFA would be presented to parliament, where it could face lengthy debate by lawmakers wary of any deal perceived to infringe on Iraq's sovereignty.
    Attiya, in independent lawmaker, said a memorandum of understanding should also be put before a parliamentary vote.

    "If the two sides reach an agreement, this is between two countries, and according to the Iraqi constitution a national agreement must be agreed by parliament by a majority of two thirds. Thus, this agreement should be passed through the parliament," Attiya said.
    Iraq said last week Washington was showing flexibility on some issues, which officials said included dropping a demand for immunity for private contractors working for the U.S. government.
    Control of military operations and airspace are also other points of contention, along with the detention of Iraqi prisoners. Officials say planned U.S. military operations will be vetted by joint committees.
    Washington has SOFA pacts with many countries, and they typically exempt U.S. troops from facing trial or prison abroad.
    The status of U.S. troops in Iraq is particularly sensitive given the animosity between the United States and Iraq's neighbour Iran, which considers the U.S. an occupying power in Iraq and is wary of U.S. troops so close to its border.
    Iraq has insisted it not be used as a base from which to attack its neighbours.
    Washington has security pacts with numerous countries, including Japan, where in March thousands protested against crimes committed by U.S. troops, and called for greater Japanese legal jurisdiction over U.S. soldiers.
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