Monday
Dec222008
Update: Al-Maliki Showdown with Parliament over Troop Withdrawal?
Monday, December 22, 2008 at 9:08
Here is CNN's headline, which is misleading and misses the point, "Iraqi Lawmakers Reach Deal on Non-U.S. Troops".
What has happened is potentially more dramatic. "Main political parties" have agreed on a way to bypass Saturday's Parliamentary rejection of an agreement under which troops from six countries, including Britain, would withdraw by 31 May 2009. This would come through "a resolution that would empower the Cabinet to authorize international troop presence without requiring Parliament to pass a law".
In other words, Parliament is being asked to withdraw itself from the matter, allowing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to push through the agreement before the current UN mandate for military presence expires on 31 December. Of course, Parliamentarians may bow to the will of the "main parties" --- which I presume include Daw'a and the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. Then again, members may choose to make a stand, as they initially did with the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States.
If they do, it means British troops will be confined to their bases as of 1 January 2009. Far more importantly, there will be a political crisis in advance of provincial elections next year.
What has happened is potentially more dramatic. "Main political parties" have agreed on a way to bypass Saturday's Parliamentary rejection of an agreement under which troops from six countries, including Britain, would withdraw by 31 May 2009. This would come through "a resolution that would empower the Cabinet to authorize international troop presence without requiring Parliament to pass a law".
In other words, Parliament is being asked to withdraw itself from the matter, allowing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to push through the agreement before the current UN mandate for military presence expires on 31 December. Of course, Parliamentarians may bow to the will of the "main parties" --- which I presume include Daw'a and the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. Then again, members may choose to make a stand, as they initially did with the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States.
If they do, it means British troops will be confined to their bases as of 1 January 2009. Far more importantly, there will be a political crisis in advance of provincial elections next year.
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