Region | Iraq
Iraq talks with US on security pact reach 'dead end'
Iraq's prime minister says talks with the United States on a new security deal has reached a 'dead end' because of US demands that infringe on Iraq's sovereignty.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:37 June 13, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Amman, Jordan: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki said on Friday talks with the United States on a new security deal has reached a “dead end'' because of US demands.
"We have reached a dead end, because when we started the talks, we found that the US demands hugely infringe on the sovereignty of Iraq," Maliki said during a visit to Jordan.
The United States and Iraq are negotiating a new agreement to make it legal for US troops to stay in Iraq after their UN mandate expires on December 31.
Maliki said Iraq objected to Washington's insistence on giving its troops immunity from prosecution in Iraq and freedom to conduct operations independent of Iraqi control.
"We can't extend the US forces permission to arrest Iraqis or to undertake the responsibility of fighting terrorism in an independent way, or to keep Iraqi skies and waters open for themselves whenever they want," he said.
"One of the important issues that the US is asking for is immunity for its soldiers and those contracting with it. We reject this totally," he said.
Responding to Maliki's comments, a US embassy spokesman in Baghdad said: "Talks are ongoing. We respect Iraq's sovereignty and that's the basis of the negotiations."
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