Iraq: Security Talks with US at Impasse

BAGHDAD - Iraq's prime minister said Friday that talks with the U.S. on a long-term security pact are at an impasse over objections that Iraq's sovereignty is at stake, but he held out hope that negotiators could still reach a compromise.

In his strongest comments yet on the debate, Nouri al-Maliki echoed concern by Iraqi lawmakers that the opening U.S. proposals would give Washington too much political and military leverage on Iraqi affairs. He left open room, however, that a deal could be hammered out.

"The first drafts presented left us at a dead end and deadlock," he told reporters in Amman, Jordan. "So, we left these first drafts and the negotiations will continue with new ideas until the sides reach a formula that preserves Iraq's sovereignty."

The security agreement would provide a legal basis for the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of this year. Failure to strike a deal would leave the future of the American military presence here to the next administration.

U.S. negotiators offered new proposals this week after Iraqi lawmakers expressed outrage over the direction of the negotiations, claiming that accepting the U.S. position would cement American military, political and economic domination of this country.

"Any agreement that infringes on Iraq's sovereignty and its components will be dismissed and will not be acceptable," he added, promising any deal would be presented to Iraq's parliament for final approval.

"It is a negotiation process that will continue until we reach a common ground that is acceptable by the Iraqi and the other sides," al-Maliki said. "So, I see no reason to be worried about the possibility that Iraq will be chained by agreements. The Iraqi politicians are aware of the importance of sovereignty."

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe, traveling with President Bush in Paris, said negotiations between the United States and Iraq "are continuing in good faith."

"We have a team in Baghdad now working closely with their Iraqi counterparts. As the president said in Germany, we fully respect Iraqi sovereignty and that is reflected in the current discussions," Johndroe said.

Al-Maliki's remarks reflected deep misgivings about the deal, which also has been denounced by Tehran. The Iraqi premier, a Shiite, is close to the predominantly Shiite Iran.

But a senior government adviser, Yassin Majid, sought to temper the comments, saying a preliminary draft had been rejected but there were "some alternative ideas still on the negotiating table" that would be presented at an upcoming meeting.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad stressed the pact was important for Iraq's security.

"U.S. discussions with the government of Iraq on arrangements for a long-term strategic partnership and security relationship continue," embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said. "Those discussions are based on the fundamental principal of U.S recognition of and respect for Iraq's sovereignty."

"We remain hopeful, as do our Iraqi government partners, regarding a successful conclusion to these negotiations," she added in an e-mailed statement.

The mounting criticism has raised doubt that a deal could be reached before the U.S. presidential election in November. The issue also has taken on importance among Iraq's fractured political parties as they prepare for provincial elections expected in the fall.

Sheik Ahmed Hassan al-Taha, the imam of the main Sunni mosque in Baghdad, said it was time from the Iraqi government and parliament to take responsibility of the country.

"The occupier came with shiny mottos, claiming that they were democratic, but if they were so then why did they agree on a long-term agreement without the approval of the Iraqi people?" al-Taha asked, using rhetoric to describe U.S.-led forces. "History will have its say later."

An aide to Iraq's pre-eminent Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged negotiators to protect the national interest during a Friday sermon in the holy city of Karbala.

"Iraq's sovereignty and economy must be protected," Ahmed al-Safi told worshippers. "The Iraqi negotiators must be up to the responsibility and should have a unified point of view."

Hundreds of followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr also rallied against the agreement in Karbala.

And Sadrist cleric Sheik Dhia al-Shawki accused the United States of trying to cement its foothold in the Middle East, calling the agreement "a project of domination and control" in the Middle East that is dangerous to the Muslim world.

Iraqi lawmakers have detailed concerns about U.S. demands for considerable control of Iraqi airspace, bases and immunity from prosecution for American personnel.

Sheik Abdul Hadi al-Mohammadawi, a senior al-Sadr aide, expressed concern that the Americans were seeking 50 permanent bases that would give them "the right to hit regional and neighboring countries." U.S. diplomats have denied such claims.

The outrage has fueled tensions that already were high amid clashes between U.S.-Iraqi forces and Shiite militia fighters.

Al-Sadr unveiled plans to reorganize his Mahdi Army militia by dividing it into a group of experienced members who would be exclusively authorized to fight and others who would focus on propaganda - an apparent bid to exert more control over his followers.

"Arms will be in the hands of members of this group exclusively and the arms will be directed only at the occupier. Any other targeting will be banned," he said in the statement that was read after Friday prayers in the holy city of Kufa.

The cleric, who is believed to be in Iran, said the militia will continue to resist U.S.-led forces in Iraq but fighting should be limited to the select group.

He said others "will mentally and ideologically fight the Western and secular thoughts" but "will be prevented from carrying or using arms."

Those who "violate this decision" will be disowned, he added, calling on the fighters to "avoid misdeeds ... and be moderate" to protect the movement's reputation among the public.

Continued fighting despite several cease-fires called by al-Sadr has raised questions about how much authority he maintains over various militia factions.

An official in al-Sadr's main office in the holy city of Najaf said no new groups would be formed but the fighting would only be undertaken by those who had experience from previous battles. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.