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November 26, 2008

Iraq SOFA

Fascinating, "The administration has withheld the official English translation of the agreement in an effort to suppress a public dispute with the Iraqis until after the Iraqi parliament votes."

If I read this correctly, it seems the U.S. intends fully to continue to operate covertly in Iraq for an indefinite period, and somehow weasel its way into using the country to launch attacks on others, as it arrogantly and brazenly did in Syria a few weeks ago.

Also, if anyone wants to read the Treaty"Agreement," McClatchy does have it. Raed Jarrar had posted a translation a couple of weeks ago.

For his part, Obama has decided that Robert Gates is just the guy for managing the continuity at the Pentagon.

I may have to rip up my "I Voted for Change" stickers from three weeks ago. Except the little devils are wicked difficult to tear off the jacket I wore during canvassing.

Posted by The Owl at 13:52. Filed under: Iraq

Comments

the plan for Iraq, aside from some token ineffective opposition (http://www.stumplane.us/wor...) has been a thinly veiled play to establish permanent bases almost from the start. Bush and McCain both copped to this aspiration publicly in envisioning a S. Korea style continuing presence. Even Obama's assertions that he will immediately withdraw troops from Iraq have invariably contained the qualifier "combat troops," which is to say nothing of support troops or private contractors. Obama also tipped his hand, i think, with his pledge to increase the size of the military by 92,000 people. not to mention his rhetoric re Iran and Afghanistan.

to be fair though, anyone who would want to be president would have little choice in matters of imperial objectives.

ps: nice to find your site. (i'm blogging from Maine, too.)

Posted by Montag on December 01, 2008 at 15:05

Thanks for stopping by, Montag. Fine blog you have at Stump Lane.

Evidently many in Iraq are upset about the prospect of a minimum three more years of occupation: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/...

On the other hand Obama does say he wants to keep his 16-month timetable. We'll see what parsing of the weasel term "combat troops" means.

Posted by The Owl on December 02, 2008 at 11:06
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