Jon Powers issued a statement today regarding the news that a deal is in the works that will allow U.S. troops to stay in Iraq beyond 2008. The Iraqis want more:
Iraqi officials have said they would like to see U.S. forces cease routine patrols on Iraqi streets by the middle of next year and withdraw all combat troops by 2010 or 2011. But it is not clear how explicit such language would be in the agreement.
Iraq's chief negotiator Mohammed al-Haj Hamoud told Reuters on Wednesday a draft of the agreement was complete and would be presented to Iraqi political leaders to approve and send to parliament. He said the draft did not include withdrawal dates.
Other issues to be tackled include immunity for U.S. troops from Iraqi law and the status of the 21,000 prisoners held in Iraq by American forces.
This is what Powers had to say about this news today:
"I applaud the Iraqis for wanting to take greater control of their country and security. Our soldiers continue to serve honorably completing missions even in the shadow of Washington's failures. We must begin a strategic redeployment and bring them home safely, securely and soon.
"As a nation, we must refocus on the looming national security threats in Afghanistan and Pakistan. With the forced resignation of President Musharraf in a destabilizing nuclear Pakistan and increasing violence as the radical elements surge in Afghanistan, our mission there faces real challenges. America must reengage its efforts to bring real security to what is becoming one of the most dangerous situations on the planet.
"It will be up to the next president and the next Congress to enforce any agreements put together during the Bush administration. It will be necessary to send voices to Washington that have a firm understanding of what it takes to end the war in Iraq and reform our national security policies."
Powers also mentioned Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is a necessary topic if we want to talk about a war on terror. This is still an important issue and Powers will certainly be at the center of this debate when he gets to Washington D.C.
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