IRAQ:IRAQI PRIME Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday tried to reassure Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and senior officials that Iran would not be attacked if Iraq concludes a status of forces agreement with the US.
"We will not allow Iraq to become a platform for harming the security of Iran and neighbours," Mr al-Maliki stated.
Mr Ahmadinejad observed that Iraq's neighbours's responsibility for security has been "doubled" due to the risk of violence, but also warned that Iraq must achieve enough stability to prevent "its enemies" from imposing their will on the country.
While the draft text has not been made public, Iran strongly opposes the proposed deal because it would legitimise the US military presence in Iraq. Iraqi legislators argue Iraq would become a US client state under the agreement.
The US would retain more than 50 military bases, control of Iraqi airspace up to 29,000ft and free access to Iraq's land, air, and water. US forces would be allowed to conduct military operations without Iraqi government consultation, and troops and civilian contractors would have immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law.
US would be empowered to detain any Iraqi believed to be a security threat. While the US would defend Iraq against attackers defined as "terrorists", Washington would not protect Iraq from all enemies or guarantee its "democratic" regime.
Other provisions include US oversight of the Iraqi economy and privatisation of the oil industry. The latter could be risky.
Middle East Economic Survey reported that an opponent of privatisation, Jabbar al-Laibi, head of Iraq's South Oil Company (SOC) based in Basra, was recently removed from his post by oil minister Hussein Shahristani, an ally of Mr al-Maliki. Since Mr al-Laibi was responsible for maintaining the flow of oil through the south- ern terminal since 2003, his dismissal could cause trouble in the SOC. SOC exports provide most of Iraq's revenue.
Mr al-Maliki agreed last November with US president George Bush to sign status of forces and strategic alliance agreements by the end of July. But rejection by a majority of Iraq's law- makers has delayed the deal.
The Bush administration has, reportedly, instructed the US Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the recipient of Iraq's revenues, to withhold up to $50 billion until the accord is signed. Iraqi deputies say Baghdad cannot sign while 151,000 US troops occupy the country and call for extension of the UN mandate which ends in December.
Haidar al-Abadi, a member of Mr al-Maliki's own bloc said the positions of the sides are far apart and the Iraqi side is "studying its options. The Americans have some demands that the Iraqi government regards as infringing on its sovereignty. This is the main dispute and if it is not settled . . . there will not be an agreement". Analysts hold that the ruling coalition of two Shia and two Kurdish parties has no option but to agree to an accord as US forces keep the government in power.
