Shift seen in Iran's position on U.S.-Iraq deal
The state news agency took a less hostile tone about the pact. U.S. officials, however, said nothing had changed.
BAGHDAD - Iran yesterday softened its resistance to a security pact that calls for withdrawing American forces from Iraq by the end of 2011, a shift that could make it easier for Iraq's ruling Shiite Muslim government to secure parliamentary approval.
Reports from Iran's state news agency called an Iraqi cabinet vote Sunday that advanced the security compact a "victory for the ruling party and its Kurdish partners," referring to the Shiite lawmakers who supported the agreement.
"We hope the outcome of [the deal] will be in favor of Islam and Iraqi sovereignty, security and stability in the region," Iranian TV reported, quoting an Iranian judiciary official.
The reports marked a change in tone from Iran's take on Iraqi negotiations with the U.S. earlier this year, when Iran had leaned on Shiite lawmakers to block the deal.
But U.S. officials were skeptical yesterday that Iran had changed its stand on the pact. "There has been no relenting whatsoever in the Iranian position," a senior U.S. government official said, who because of embassy rules could not be quoted by name. "They are dead set against the success of this agreement."
In Washington, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that under the agreement all U.S. troops would be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. Those plans go further than President-elect Barack Obama's call for about 30,000 service members to remain in Iraq after combat troops leave.
"It is my understanding that the 2011 date [means] all American forces" must be out by then, Mullen said at a briefing. He stressed, however, that he still supported a "conditions-based" draw-down.
Mullen said that it would take the United States two to three years to withdraw from Iraq completely. American military officials estimate that they can draw down two brigades a month. There are currently 14 brigade combat teams in Iraq and about 50 support teams. In all, there are roughly 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his Shiite partners carried the withdrawal agreement through the cabinet on Sunday, winning 27 of 28 votes among the ministers who attended. Parliament received the agreement yesterday and is scheduled to begin debating it this week. A vote is expected Monday.
Key Provisions Of Security Pact
U.S. forces must withdraw from Iraq by Jan. 1, 2012.
U.S. must withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009.
Iraqi authorities have broad power over the operations and movements of U.S. forces.
The U.S. cannot use Iraqi territory to attack Iraqi neighbors, including Syria and Iran.
Iraq can try U.S. soldiers and defense contractors for serious crimes committed off-duty and off-base.
- Associated Press