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Add an EventThousands of Iraqis protest agreement for indefinite US occupation
Negotiations on the deal began in March and US officials have told the media that the two governments are close to an agreement. The White House and the Pentagon claim that the deal is merely intended to replace the United Nations mandate that expires December 31.
Last month, US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker claimed during a US Senate hearing that the agreement would cover the basic authorizations and protections to allow American troops to continue their operations but would not specify troop levels or establish permanent bases.
Crocker asserted, We anticipate that it will expressly forswear them [permanent bases] ... and it will not tie the hands of the next administration. These are simply new lies from the Bush administration. Whether the agreement calls the US facilities permanent bases or not, or sidesteps the issue altogether, such a deal has no other purpose apart from ensuring that the US military will remain indefinitely to suppress internal opposition and protect American geopolitical interests, above all, its designs on Iraqi oil supplies.
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