Tentative Deal Reached for Withdrawal of U.S. Forces: From Iraq’s Al-Sabaah Newspaper

According to yesterday’s edition of Iraq’s Al-Sabaah newspaper, U.S. and Iraqi negotiators have tentatively agreed to the withdrawal of U.S. forces by 2011, the return of American troops to their barracks and rules of engagement for American troops and Iraqi citizens until the U.S. withdrawal.

According to Al-Sabaah:

“According to a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the two parties after a summary of results is presented to political leaders, Baghdad and Washington have set a time limit for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq during the years 2010 and 2011, subject to change according to circumstances.”

The article goes on:

“Well-informed sources told Al-Sabah: “the two teams of experts – American and Iraqi – will present a summary of their discussions to political leaders of their respective countries over the next few days, stressing that, “negotiations are continuing between the two parties and are near a conclusion, which may permit the rapid signing of the Status of Forces Agreement [SOFA].”

Translated By James Jacobson

August 5, 2008

Iraq – Al-Sabah – Original Article (Arabic)

Baghdad: According to a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the two parties after a summary of results is presented to political leaders, Baghdad and Washington have set a time limit for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq during the years 2010 and 2011, subject to change according to circumstances. In addition, Al-Sabah has learned of an important meeting held this morning by several National Assembly bloc leaders, during which a decision was made to hold a vote on a new provincial election law in the event a comprehensive agreement could be reached. Otherwise the vote will be postponed, perhaps until the next legislative term.

Well-informed sources told Al-Sabah: “the two teams of experts – American and Iraqi – will present a summary of their discussions to political leaders of their respective countries over the next few days, stressing that, “negotiations are continuing between the two parties and are near a conclusion, which may permit the rapid signing of the Status of Forces Agreement [SOFA].”

The sources, which spoke in condition of anonymity, revealed that considerable progress had been made in the talks and in principal, a bilateral agreement for a withdrawal of American forces during 2010 and 2011 had been reached, subject to change according to circumstances.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated Iraqi press coverage of the Iraq War.