US combat troops could exit Iraq by 2012

By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
Published: October 17 2008 00:27 Last updated: October 17 2008 00:27

The US and Iraq have reached agreement on a draft security accord that would pave the way for US combat troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011, officials said on Thursday.
Washington and Baghdad have sought agreement for months over a document to replace the soon-to-expire UN mandate that gives US forces authority to operate in Iraq.


Robert Gates, US defence secretary, on Thursday began briefing politicians on Capitol Hill. The agreement still requires approval by the Iraqi parliament.
Democrats have previously criticised the administration of George W. Bush, the president, for not agreeing to submit any deal to Congress for approval. But Mr Gates had promised that he would consult with lawmakers on the accord.
“The secretary is in the process of consulting closely with members of Congress . . . he has begun making a number of phone calls today to committee leaders and is intent on fulfilling his pledge to them to consult with them on this document before it is finalised,” said Geoff Morrell, Pentagon press secretary.
One sticking point had been whether US troops would be subject to Iraq’s jurisdiction, as Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, had insisted. But the deal appears to limit the application of Iraqi law.
After Iraqi officials suggested on Wednesday that the agreement had been reached, Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate armed services committee, said he looked forward to reviewing it. But Mr Levin said he was “sceptical of any agreement that would subject US servicemen and women to the jurisdiction of Iraqi courts in the middle of a chaotic war and in the absence of a judicial system that has been proven to be fair and protective”.

Mr Morrell said: “I don’t think the secretary would be making phone calls in support of the document if he didn’t believe it adequately protected our forces in Iraq, and in really all facets of their operations there.” While Mr Bush has rejected calls to set a timeline for withdrawal, his officials insist that 2011 remains an “aspirational” goal.

The agreement comes just weeks before the US presidential election. Iraq, originally a central campaign issue, has been superseded by the financial crisis.
Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, has pledged to withdraw troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office, while John McCain, his Republican rival has refused to set a deadline.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008