22/10/2010
Crocker is expected to extend the request of the Iraqis the U.S. military presence in their country
Crocker is expected to extend the request of the Iraqis the U.S. military presence in their country
WASHINGTON (Agencies): Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Krocker. With Iraq is moving towards forming a new government and we approach the end of the half, the U.S. under the terms of the security agreement for the year 2008, I believe there is a strong likelihood that the requested extension of the Iraqis and our military presence, although they did so, I hope to respond positively.
Entered tough negotiations on forming a new Iraqi government a new phase with the announcement last week by Sadr's support for Nouri al-Maliki. Is not necessarily to reach an agreement, but it still requires many difficult compromises, but the likelihood of Prime Minister Maliki's increasingly more and more. Here's how it looks, then the political landscape:
Time is the basis for policy, has missed the list of «Iraq» possibility of a satisfactory agreement on the sharing of power and positions, but Maliki understands the importance of a broad coalition will seek to come to terms with the elements of the «Iraq». Will want to ensure that he receives enough votes in parliament in order not to cause any party to rebound later (especially the Sadrists) to overthrow his government. But the challenge is to attract the support of the Kurds is not a high price to the extent that it could alienate moderate Sunnis.
On the other hand, is still divided Shiites despite the strenuous efforts made by Iran. Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, the Badr Organization, and the Virtue Party, which opposes all-Maliki.
That is the democracy: the painful, very slow, and incomplete, and based on adjustments, and demands, concessions, and miscalculations. The end of the day with Allawi and Maliki are logged in as a result equivalent to actual parliamentary system, it was unlikely to be the democratic process at a faster pace.
What does this mean for the United States? First, we maintain our commitment, we are already through the efforts of Vice President Joseph Biden, the Under Secretary of State William Burns, who visited a short time ago to Baghdad, Ambassador James Jeffrey. We declare openly that we do not prefer a candidate over another, but we seek is already a government of all the spectra, and our ongoing efforts behind the scenes will be necessary to achieve this. Secondly, we must not interpret the appearance of al-Maliki as a candidate of the Iraqi National Coalition, supported by cleric Moqtada al-Sadr as a victory for the Iranians, Maliki Iraqi nationalist committed to send troops to fight the Shiite militias backed by Iran in 2008 and beat them. Later that year, the contract agreements with us Mvsliyn Ardahma Iranians strongly.
Maliki is committed, like the Iraqi political leaders almost all, in partnership long-term relationship with the United States, and when the new government is formed, we will have dialogue with them as a full partner while dealing with Baghdad thorny issues outstanding during most of last year, before and after the elections: the status of Kirkuk, the issues of distribution of powers in Relations between the federal and regional governments, governorates, and disputed internal boundaries in other parts of the country, corruption, and the urgent need to improve the quality of governance and basic services. Iraq would need also to our continued support to meet the security challenges posed by a network designed for a »rule», even if it is less momentum, and terrorist elements supported by Iran.
If we we will be an active partner, we must have an adequate supported with adequate resources, but I'm afraid we may not get this or that because of our transition from military to civilian leadership in Iraq. Administration's proposal did not send civilian staff in the long run, especially outside Baghdad, is sufficient. Congress has declined to endorse the funding for that purpose also, at the same time reduced by half the requested support for the Iraqi security forces.
We have accomplished much in Iraq over the past years, high costs incurred by our two nations, but we still accomplished a lot. It is our role and presence less visible and much less expensive in terms of blood and money than it was in the office of Ambassador, what constitutes an important measure of progress. However, it remains essential to our continued success of Iraqi efforts.
With Iraq is moving towards forming a new government and we approach the last year of U.S. military presence is widespread under the terms of the security agreement for the year 2008, I believe there is a strong likelihood that the requested extension of the Iraqis and our military presence. If they do, I hope to respond positively. No one imagined a combat role for such forces, but may provide a key to the Iraqis Ttmina threats against internal and external security in conjunction with the development of Iraqi capabilities. For example, will not get Iraq on the basic tank, and air defense systems, task, or air combat capabilities by several years after 2011.
In the context of no less importance, is any kind of U.S. presence and widespread political Ttmina for all Iraqis about their future at a time to have to make significant concessions, and we can turn the page in Iraq, but we must not close the book. M / - National Interest
