**Iraq's Foreign Minister, Zebari, Meets U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Nides, and Delegation and .. Iraq – U.S. Joint Coordination Committee for Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation ...
*October 17th ~ Baghdad and Washington agree on the activation of the strategic framework agreement
Monday, October 17, 2011U.S. and Iraq have no deal on post 2011 troop level
The United States and Iraq have been unable to come to agreement on key issue regarding legal immunity for U.S. troops who would remain in Iraq after the end of the year, effectively ending discussion of maintaining a significant American force presence after the end of 2011, a senior U.S. military official with direct knowledge of the discussions reported on Monday.
About 40,000 U.S. troops left in Iraq remained in Iraq as of last week. The United States will continue with its plan to draw down troops with almost no troops remaining by year's end, as was agreed upon with the government of Iraq.
A brigade that originally was scheduled to be among the very last to leave Iraq is being pulled out of the country months ahead of its planned departure.
When family members inquired why soldiers were returning early, they were told by a military official: "Basically, what's happened ... is that the United States and Iraq have not come to an agreement," according to reporter who attended the meeting. Additionally, the brigade official told families: "We were over there for a couple of missions. Those missions are finished."
Continues ...read more ..
A U.S. military official in Iraq, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Saturday the early withdrawal of the Fourth Brigade Combat Team, First Armored Division, citing a number of possible reasons, including the lack of a deal on the legal immunity issue and the fact that the State Department is "standing up" its operations faster than expected.
The two governments have been negotiating maintaining a small presence, perhaps several thousand, in order to advise, assist and train Iraqi troops after the end of 2011.
Those talks have not progressed, the source said. The Iraqi government's insistence that any troops that stay after the current Status of Forces Agreement ends in 2011 not be given legal immunity has been an issue for the Obama administration, which insisted that immunity is necessary.
"Iraqis could not come to meet important terms for the U.S," according to the senior U.S. official. "I think the discussions on numbers are over."
But while an agreement has not been reached yet, the United States will maintain a military presence nearby should Baghdad and Washington come to terms.
"We have always had a plan in place to draw down the force and that is what we're executing," the source said. "Important capabilities remain in Kuwait as part of bilateral relationships throughout the region."
Over the weekend, the spokesman for the National Security Council said discussions continue with the Iraqis.
"We're building a comprehensive partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement including a robust security relationship, and discussions with the Iraqis about the nature of that relationship are ongoing," said Tommy Vietor of the National Security Council.
Pentagon spokesman George Little also dismissed reports of talks breaking down, saying this weekend, "Suggestions that a final decision has been reached about our training relationship with the Iraqi government are wrong. Those discussions are ongoing."
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