US-Iraqi Agreement: Leaked

This leaked draft is a treasure of information. It’s the first time any document related to this topic is made public. It shows how weak the Iraqi negotiations team is (it is really pathetic to read their “suggestions” on how to fix the disaster of an agreement).

There are many outrageous articles in the agreement that violates Iraq’s sovereignty and independence, and gives the U.S. occupation authorities unprecedented rights and privileges, but what has draw my attention the most (so far) are three major points: >>>>>

Why Iraqi ‘Client’ Blocked US Long-Term Presence

The administration had assumed going into the negotiations that Maliki would remain a U.S. client for a few years because of the Iraqi government’s dependence on the U.S. military to build a largely Shi’ite Iraqi army and police force and defeat the main insurgent threats to his regime…

Contrary to the administration’s claims that it was helping the regime remain independent of Iran, Maliki was far closer to Tehran than to Washington from the beginning. As a team of McClatchy newspaper reporters revealed last April, the choice of Maliki as prime minister was the direct result of the mediation by Gen. Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, in the negotiations within the coalition that had won the December 2005 parliamentary election. >>>>>

US hands security of Anbar to Iraqi forces

Anbar was once the centre of the Sunni insurgency, with more than a quarter of all US soldiers killed in Iraq having died in Anbar.

We could save time, and simply sign over the whole country to Iraqis.  It’s a shame that anyone would have to have transferred to them what already belongs to them.  >>>>>

U.S. gives Iraqi forces control of Anbar province

Security surrounding the ceremony and the lack of advance publicity for the event underscored concerns about what both U.S. and Iraqi officials acknowledge is the delicate nature of Anbar’s relative calm. So did some of the speeches, which alluded to political tensions involving Anbar’s Sunni Muslim tribal leaders, its political bosses, and Iraq’s Shiite-led central government. >>>>>

Any civil unrest has a direct correlation to the occupation.

Iraq’s Absent Ramadan

This year, the iftar table will be half empty.

“Since they are gone, we don’t have reasons to celebrate anything,” the mother of two, whose husband and son were killed by militants four months ago, told IslamOnline.net.  >>>>>

With all due respect, it is not Ramadan that is absent in Iraq…during Ramadan, it is my humble understanding that we make sacrifice to God (Allah) himself.  We should ‘celebrate’ Ramadan with this primary obligation in mind.  We cannot expect that since the holiday spirit exists, the occupiers and global mischief makers will stop their antics.  We must keep in mind the ultimate goal of keeping our faith in check and praying that we die in a manner that we are granted His mercy.  It was not the intention to chastise, but merely redirect a focus whereby the Iraqis recognize that God knows best what He does, and your nation and peoples will remain in our prayers and our struggle to bring about a change with whatever humanity is left on this earth and — by His grace.

Iraq signs $3B oil deal with China

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq has signed its first major oil deal with a foreign company since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, a spokesman for the Iraqi Oil Ministry said Saturday. It was the first time in more than 35 years that Iraq has allowed foreign oil companies to do business inside its borders. >>>>>

Russia: US still looking for WMDs in Iraq?

“I would like to ask the distinguished representative of the United States about….Weapons of Mass Destruction. Have you found them in Iraq yet or are you still looking for them”? Churkin said. >>>>>

The past destroyed: Five years later

Their behavior was in violation of their orders, international law, and the civilized values of the United States. Far from apologizing for these atrocities or attempting to make amends, the United States government has in the past five years added insult to injury.

Donald Rumsfeld, then secretary of defense and the official responsible for the actions of the troops, repeatedly attempted to trivialize what had occurred with inane public statements like “democracy is messy” and “stuff happens.”  >>>>>

Democracy is something very misidentified.  For this reason, it is no different than how Westerners wrongfully perceive and/or propogate the term jihad. 

Jihad is led to believe that it is an act that is bad, partially because some people misuse the concept; and in a greater sense, because those against Islam want to re-coin the term. 

Ideally, democracy seems to be a generous concept with intentions of allowing for the considerations of the populace.  However, aside from ever having it fully practiced, many use it as a badge of entitlement to go against the very ideals democracy stands for as they are plundering those who can’t afford the badge.

Bush’s double standard

by Carlos Latuff 080826 -- Click on image to link directly.

Pentagon Says Iraq Withdrawal Must Be Based on Conditions

The U.S. Defense Department says it wants to turn over security responsibility to Iraqi forces as quickly as possible, but that the timing should be based on conditions. A spokesman repeated the position Tuesday in response to a statement by Iraq’s prime minister calling for a full U.S. withdrawal by 2011. VOA’s Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon. >>>>>

Conditions? We should have only entered Iraq “based on conditions” like:

The rule of U.S. law

The rule of International law

The rule of God’s law

Hasn’t it already been proven that the U.S. went into Iraq under false pretenses and with ulterior motives to control and steal oil? I guess that makes sense that we leave under conditions that provide immunity for our troops.

Sectarian Clashes Flare Up Again in Iraq

BAQUBA – A military operation said to target al-Qaeda has ended up targeting Sunni Muslims instead, creating new sectarian tensions.

A U.S.-backed security operation launched last month has only targeted cities with majority Sunni populations such as Buhriz, Tahreer, Qatoon, Mafraq, and Hay in Diyala province, north of Baghdad. The operation has drawn more than 50,000 Iraqi soldiers.  >>>>>

Iraq says 650 doctors have returned from exile

…Killings and kidnappings of doctors during five years of war and sectarian strife led to an unprecedented exodus of medical personnel that left Iraq’s already troubled health care system almost paralyzed. Medical infrastructure is poor and some medicines are in short supply.

Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, 618 medical professionals, including 132 doctors, have been slain nationwide, according to figures issued earlier this year by the Health Ministry. Muhsin said only 16,000 health care workers are running hospitals and clinics, but 100,000 are needed. >>>>>

25 die as suicide bomber hits Iraq police recruits

…No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but suicide attacks are the hallmark of al-Qaida in Iraq and other Sunni Islamist extremists that operate in Diyala, which is among the most violent areas in the country.   >>>>>

Since no group claimed responsibility for the bombing, shouldn’t we be a bit more objective in the news.  Who’s to say that this wasn’t a false flag operation, which is probably more common in Iraq than people killing themselves for the purpose of terrorism or even defending one’s own land.

U.S. to Leave Iraq by 2011, Maliki says

…“It is not possible for any agreement to conclude unless it is on the basis of full sovereignty and the national interest, and that no foreign soldiers remain in Iraqi soil after a defined time ceiling,” Mr. Maliki said in a speech to Shiite tribal leaders in Baghdad’s Green Zone.  >>>>>

The dramatic moment a 15-year-old Iraqi suicide bomber gave herself up

…But mystery still surrounds the arrest of the girl. US officials said she turned herself in, while local police said she was caught after arousing suspicion. Reporters were invited to the interrogation and a video of her arrest was later distributed to the media.

Sounds to me like this was staged on many levels. The message, of course, being that no Muslim, no matter how feeble or innocent should be free from suspicion.

Kurds warn of “violent reaction” if Iraqi army enters their areas

A senior Kurdish leader says Kurdish militia or peshmerga will confront Iraqi army units attempting to enter Kurdish areas. Mahmoud Sinkawi said if Iraqi troops moved into Kurdish towns and villages in order to evacuate government buildings occupied by Kurdish factions and peshmerga they will be met with a “violent reaction.” >>>>>

America is not leaving Iraq anytime soon: UAE newspaper

WAM Abu Dhabi, Aug. 24, 2008 (WAM) — A major UAE English daily today commented on the US-Iraq security deal, which has been going on for over ten months and which, upon completion, is supposed to ensure the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. The newspaper expressed suspicion about the deal saying it contains a number of loopholes in favour of Washington and its troops. It also expressed scepticism that the US will withdraw its troops from Iraq anytime soon. >>>>>

Conyers questions Iraq ‘forgery’

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has asked current and former White House aides and ex-CIA officials to respond to questions about an alleged scheme to create a bogus letter in late 2003 linking Saddam Hussein to al-Qaeda. >>>>>

Iraq seeks breakup of U.S.-funded Sunni fighters

BAGHDAD — An emboldened Iraqi government has launched an aggressive campaign to disband a U.S.-funded force of Sunni Arab fighters that has been key to Iraq’s fragile peace, arresting prominent members and sending others into hiding or exile as their former patrons in the American military reluctantly stand by.  >>>>>

Sadrists Protest New US-Iraq Pullout Deal

BAGHDAD — Several thousand supporters of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr protested Friday against an emerging U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, saying it would turn Iraq into a U.S. colony.  >>>>>

Is it anti-American to have a concern about becoming a colony of a foreign power, after you’ve been occupied by the ruthless grip of that power based — on what the foreign country’s people are saying — are LIES?  It’s more appropriately said anti-occupation, anti-war, anti-imperialism.  Anti-the policy of those people who tookover America is a more appropriate euphamism.