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