Readers of the Moderate voice will recall this article by one of Iraq’s most pro-American Sunni columnists, Khadir Taahar, ‘Beyond Allah, Only America Can Save Iraq‘ – which we posted yesterday. Continuing with our Iraqi coverage of the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement, we have this article, apparently written by a Shiite, that is opposed to the deal.
This is by Mohammad Kaouch of the Iraqi News Agency, who considers the Agreement to be a betrayal of the Iraqi people by their government, which he asserts will disappear the moment the occupation armies depart – which is why he claims the Maliki Government is so keen to sign the agreement.
Kaouch writes in part:
“Prime Minister al-Maliki has brought us the good news that he signed the [U.S.-Iraq] Status of Forces Agreement, discussing it with such pride that one might have believed it was a great victory for the Iraqi people!!
“Al-Maliki knew in advance, as we did, that the Iraqi National Assembly would approve the deal, because al-Maliki, the Assembly bloc of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim [leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Iraq’s dominant political party] and the Kurdish bloc, which comprise an Assembly majority, have backed the deal from the beginning. They are under the protection of the occupation, and in return for cooperating and supporting the occupier, they have divided the spoils and the government posts. … Al-Maliki and the rest of those who inhabit the Green Zone and are protected by the occupier have cleaved to his presence and are working to maintain the occupation because the moment the foreign forces depart, there will be no government in the Green Zone.”
By Mohammad Kaouch
Translated By Nicolas Dagher
November 19, 2008
Iraq – Iraqi News Agency – Original Article (Arabic)
Prime Minister al-Maliki has brought us the good news that he signed the [U.S.-Iraq] Status of Forces Agreement, discussing it with such pride that one might have believed it was a great victory for the Iraqi people!!
Al-Maliki knew in advance, as we did, that the Iraqi National Assembly would approve the deal because al-Maliki, the Assembly bloc of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim [leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Iraq’s dominant political party] and the Kurdish bloc, which comprises an Assembly majority, have backed the deal from the beginning. They are under the protection of the occupation, and in return for cooperating and supporting the occupier, they have divided the spoils and the government posts.
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