Rice, Gates to explain Iraq pact

2008-11-20 09:35

Washington - The security agreement between the US and Iraq provides both the time and authority needed for American troops to train Iraqi forces and go after terrorists, Defence Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said on Wednesday.

Morrell spoke as Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to Congress to explain and defend the agreement to lawmakers.

The pact, being debated by Iraqi officials, lays out US troop withdrawal timelines and gives Iraq limited legal jurisdiction over US forces and contractors who commit crimes.

"The security situation has improved so dramatically, and the Iraqi security forces have improved so dramatically that we are confident that, if things continue to trend as they have been, our services will not be needed in Iraq, come 2012," Morrell told reporters at the Pentagon.

Morrell and other officials dismissed suggestions that the US has retreated on its initial vehement opposition to withdrawal deadlines, insisting that any troop drawdown be based on security conditions.

Instead, they said that change is due to improved security and better Iraqi forces.

"Their competence, their confidence has increased tremendously. And so, that's why we're able to work on a date," said White House press secretary Dana Perino. She added that the document was a negotiation and, "we asked for some things that we didn't get; they asked for some things that they didn't get. And we met them somewhere right in the middle".

The agreement calls for U.S. combat forces to leave the cities by next June, and all of Iraq by the end of 2011.

Morrell said officials believe the agreement both respects Iraqi sovereignty and provides US forces with the authority to continue to go after insurgents, while still giving the Iraqis the training and equipment they need to take over security of their own country.

The Iraqi Parliament has begun debate on the agreement, including a stormy session on Wednesday that was abruptly adjourned after a clash between opponents and supporters of the pact.

Members of Congress, including Rep William Delahunt, have said they are troubled that lawmakers have had little time to review the agreement.

"Here we are with the clock ticking, running out. There's been no input from Congress and the American people have been kept in the dark," said Delahunt, a Democrat who was chairing a hearing on the issue on Wednesday.

- AP