U.S. still putting pressure on Iraq to allow troops to stay after December

All Voices

The U.S. apparently is still trying to pressure Iraq to give it permission to keep boots on the ground in Iraq after December of this year when all are supposed to be gone. There will still be plenty of people though to run the huge embassy and guards as well. But the U.S. wants even more despite a firm No from Prime Minister Maliki so far.

But U.S. officials are still waiting for an answer they claim, meaning a Yes of course. Iraqi officials say that the present political situation makes a vote on allowing U.S. troops to stay politically untouchable. The parliamentary speaker says Iraq is in no hurry to make a decision.

The U.S. had warned the Iraqi government that it needed a decision within weeks. There has been no move to reduce troop levels and the U.S. seems to be waiting for approval to keep them there.

Iraq would find it difficult to sell to the public the idea of the U.S. staying on longer. Not only that, but Moqtada al-Sadr threatens rebellion and violence against the troops if this should happen. Al Sadr is a key member of the Al Maliki government.

Neither the Iraqi people nor the American people apparently have any say in whether U.S. troops stay. Probably it would be voted down in both countries. THere was supposed to be a referendum in Iraq on the last Status of Forces Agreement but it was never held.