Mullen: Exit dates in Iraq deal not a problem

Mullen: Exit dates in Iraq deal not a problem
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 17, 2008 20:26:35 EST

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs confirmed Monday that the new U.S. agreement with Iraq calls for all U.S. troops to be completely out of Iraq by the end of 2011 and that he is “comfortable” with the deal.

“It is my understanding that the 2011 date [means] all American forces [must be] out,” said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.

The specifics of the agreement have not been publicly released, although the Associated Press reports that the SOFA includes a Dec. 31, 2011 pullout date for all the roughly 151,000 U.S. troops in the country and that it is scheduled for a Nov. 24 vote.

The AP has also reported that according to the agreement, U.S. troops must be out of all Iraqi villages and towns by June 30, 2009. Asked at a Pentagon press conference whether that was his understanding, Mullen did not correct the date and, noting that a number of Iraqi provinces have already been turned over to ISF control, said such a shift is “consistent with how we have moved.”

Mullen said he is “delighted” that the Status of Forces Agreement, approved by the Iraq cabinet Sunday and now awaiting ratification by the national legislature, is “moving forward.” The U.N. mandate and legal authority under which U.S. troops now operate expires Dec. 31, making passage crucial to a continued U.S. effort there.
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Iraq deal:American troops leave Iraqi cities as soon as June 30

Iraq security pact draft has withdrawal dates

By Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 18:55:50 EDT

BAGHDAD — Iraqi and U.S. negotiators have completed a draft security agreement that would see American troops leave Iraqi cities as soon as June 30, Iraqi and American officials said Wednesday.

In Washington, a senior military official said the deal has been accepted by the U.S. side, short of formal approval by President Bush, but is subject to final acceptance by Iraqi leaders. Some members of Iraq’s Cabinet oppose some of the provisions.

Also completed is a companion draft document, known as a strategic framework agreement, spelling out in broad terms the political, security and economic relationships between Iraq and the U.S., the senior military official said. The official discussed the draft accords on the condition that he not be identified by name because the deals have not been publicly announced and are not final.

In addition to spelling out that U.S. troops would move out of Iraqi cities by next summer, the Iraqi government has pushed for a specific date — most likely the end of 2011 — by which all U.S. forces would depart the country. In the meantime, the U.S. troops would be positioned on bases in less visible parts of the country, and would be ready to assist Iraqi forces as needed.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_iraq_082008/