LOC17:59
14:59 GMT
BAGHDAD, May 30 (KUNA) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani stressed on Friday
the importance of a long-term agreement with the US, allowing the Iraqi people
to control their oil revenues.
Talabani was speaking to Iraqi press chief editors, urging the opponents of
the deal to practice their right pursuant to constitutional frameworks.
Washington and Baghdad are holding negotiations on a Status of Forces
Agreement aimed at giving a legal basis to the US troops after December 31,
when a UN mandate defining the current status of foreign forces expires.
But, he said the Political Council for National Security would have the
final say on the conclusion of such an Iraqi-US agreement.
He termed the pact as the sole way out to rid Iraq of the fallout of
occupation and to restore control on national wealth.
The Iraqi government will consult all Iraqi factions and forces both at
home and abroad on the agreement, which has not yet been fleshed out, he said.
He went on to say, "There are a couple of trends for the time being; the
first trend is opposed to everything with the US, while the second believes in
the international importance of the US so we can not do without it."
"There is not a single patriotic Iraqi who may not be keen on ending
occupation and ridding Iraq of the presence of foreign forces. But, there are
people who think responsibly and others who think sentimentally and just chant
slogans," he said.
The Iraqi government has not fully reached the pact with the US, he said,
adding that only steps were made within cultural, scientific and technological
frameworks, along with economic assistance.
But, the outstanding key question is the presence of US forces in Iraq.
The Iraqi Political Council for National Security has recently asked Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki to ensure that an under-discussion pact to extend the
US troop presence beyond 2008 will not harm the national interest.
"The Political Council for National Security recommended continuing
negotiations between the two sides to reach a result that is satisfactory to
the people of Iraq and does not harm its interests," a government statement
said.
The council, headed by President Jalal Talabani, said the negotiations
covered a wide spectrum of subjects including security, economic, political
and military issues.
US President George W. Bush and Maliki signed a non-binding statement of
principles in November for the negotiations, which began in March with the aim
of concluding a pact by the end of July.
There are currently about 150,000 US troops deployed in Iraq.
The proposed pact has come under fire from religious and political leaders
both in Iraq and in neighbouring Iran. (end)
mhg.mt
KUNA 301759 May 08NNNN