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View Full Version : War in Iraq Over at the End of the Year?!



Kludge
10-24-2008, 01:03 PM
SOFA - "Status of Forces Agreement"

The SOFA is a treaty which will allow for US occupation of Iraq past the deadline of December 31, 2008. We are currently there as a UN-mandated occupier. The SOFA is widely opposed in Iraq and is the cause of the "million man march" led by Al-Sadr. Ironically, because we have made Iraq sovereign, we give them authority NOT to sign the SOFA if they so choose. It is very possible that Iraq's "president" Al-Maliki will not sign it as he's soon up for election and the signing of the document would lead to widespread unrest and possibly violent uprisings throughout the country.


If the SOFA is not signed, the U.S. will have no authority to have military units in Iraq and will be forced to leave UNLESS the U.S. is able to get the UN to extend the 2008 deadline. Keep in mind that China, Russia, and France are on the UN and are all able to veto the extension. As well, if the SOFA is signed, the US is to be out of Iraq by 2011 (unless the gov't signs another "SOFA" later).


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5icpRkVBtUUfC8QX-4tzqF3OERwgQD940DGG00
Kludge
10-24-2008, 01:43 PM
Bump
paulpwns
10-24-2008, 01:44 PM
Like we ever followed international law in the past.
UtahApocalypse
10-24-2008, 01:46 PM
We were invaders going in, occupiers staying, nothing will change.
jkr
10-24-2008, 01:53 PM
then "most people's" reason for not agreeing w / Paul (like , ahem, beCk) will see their short sightedness.

that should be my sig...
Kludge
10-24-2008, 06:58 PM
Bump!
ghengis86
10-24-2008, 08:45 PM
so what are the options again?
1. Iraq and U.S. sign SOFA (millions or Iraqi's pissed)
2. Iraq doesn't sign SOFA (U.N. mandate expires and U.S. goes to security council to extend occupation, millions of Iraqi's pissed AND U.S. Gov. becomes even more distrusted)

i like where this is going.
Liberty Star
10-24-2008, 08:55 PM
It's possible:


In a meeting with the editorial board of The Standard-Times, Rep. Frank, D-Mass., also called for a 25 percent cut in military spending, saying the Pentagon has to start choosing from its many weapons programs, and that upper-income taxpayers are going to see an increase in what they are asked to pay.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081024/NEWS/810240332/-1/NEWS10