Below follows an excerpt from the text of that secret document, a translation from an Iraqi newspaper, originally published by the Society of Friends (Quakers).
An agreement regarding the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Iraq and regulating the U.S. activities during its temporary presence, between the United States and the Iraqi government
November 16th, 2008
Foreword
Iraq and the U.S., referred to here as “both sides”, affirm the importance of: supporting their joint security, participating in global peace and stability, fighting terrorism, cooperation in the fields of security and defense, and deterring invasions and threats against Iraq’s sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and Iraq’s democratic federal constitutional regime.
Both sides affirm that this cooperation is based on mutual respect of both sides’ sovereignty in accordance with the United Nations’ goals and principles.
Both sides want to achieve mutual understanding to support their collaboration, without jeopardizing Iraq’s sovereignty over its land, water, and sky, and based on the mutual guarantees given as equal and independent sovereign partners.
Both sides have agreed on:
Article One
Scope and Goal
This agreement specifies the rules and basic requirements that regulate the temporary presence and activities of U.S. troops and their withdrawal from Iraq.
...
___________________________________________________________________
...
Article Twenty Three
Implementation
The following entities are responsible of the implementation of this agreement and the settlement of any disputes over its interpretation and application:
1- A Joint Committee of Ministers that includes members with a minister rank chosen by both sides. This committee will deal with the basic issues needed to interpret the implementation of this agreement.
2- The Joint Committee of Ministers will create the Joint Military Operations Coordination Committee (JMOCC) that includes representatives from both sides. The Joint Military Operations Coordination Committee (JMOCC) will be jointly led by both sides.
3- The Joint Committee of Ministers will create a Joint Committee formed by both sides that includes representatives chosen by both sides. This committee will deal with all issues related to this agreement that do not fall under the mandate of Joint Military Operations Coordination Committee (JMOCC); this committee will be jointly led by both sides.
4- The Joint Committee will create subcommittees in all different areas. Subcommittees shall discuss issues related to interpretation and implementation of this agreement each in accordance with its expertise.
Article Twenty Four
Withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq
Recognizing the improvement of the Iraqi security forces and their increased capabilities, and the fact that they are in charge of all security operations, and based on the strong relationship between the two sides, both sides have agreed on the following:
1- All U.S. forces must withdraw from all Iraqi territories no later than December 31st 2011.
2- All U.S. combat forces must withdraw from all cities, towns, and villages as soon as the Iraqi forces take over the full security responsibility in them. The U.S. withdrawal from these areas shall take place no later than June 30th, 2009
3- All withdrawn U.S. combat troops in accordance to paragraph 2 regroup in installations and areas agreed upon located outside cities, towns, and villages. These installations and areas agreed upon will be specified by the Joint Military Operations Coordination Committee (JMOCC) before the date mentioned in paragraph 2 of this article.
4- The U.S. recognizes Iraq’s sovereign right to request a U.S. forces withdrawal from Iraq at anytime. The Iraqi government recognizes the United States’ sovereign right to request a U.S. forces withdrawal from Iraq at anytime.
5- Both sides agree on creating mechanisms and arrangements to reduce the U.S. forces levels within the specified time period, and both sides must agree on where these forces will be located.
Article Twenty Five
Procedures to end the implementation of chapter 7 on Iraq
Recognizing the Iraqi government’s right in refraining from requesting a renewal of the multi-national forces mandate in Iraq granted by the Security Council resolution 1790 (2007) expiring on December 31st 2008;
Pointing out the letters addressed to the Security Council and attached to resolution 1790: one letter from the Iraqi prime minister and the other from the U.S. secretary of state consecutively dated 7th and 10th of December 2007
Noting the third part of the declaration of principles signed by the Iraqi PM and the U.S. president on November 26 of 2007 in which Iraq requested a final renewal of the U.S. mandate until December 31st of 2008;
Recognizing the important and positive developments in Iraq, and keeping in mind that the situation in Iraq is fundamentally different from that existing at the time the Security Council adopted resolution number 661 (1990), especially that the danger posed to international peace and stability by the former Iraqi government is now gone;
Both sides confirm that after the expiration of the United Nations mandate for the multi-national forces in Iraq on December 31st 2008, Iraq should regain the international and legal position that it used to enjoy before Security Council resolution number 661 (1990). Both sides confirm that the U.S. will make its best effort to help Iraq take the necessary steps to accomplish that by December 31st of 2008.Read the full text of the agreement here>>
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment