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Sat,
24 May 2008 21:07:14
Source:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=57198§ionid=351020201
Iraq's most revered
Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has strongly
objected to a 'security accord' between the US and Iraq.
The Grand Ayatollah has reiterated that he would not
allow Iraq to sign such a deal with 'the US occupiers'
as long as he was alive, a source close to Ayatollah
Sistani said.
The source added the Grand Ayatollah had voiced his
strong objection to the deal during a meeting with Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the holy city of Najaf on
Thursday.
The remarks were made amid reports that the Iraqi
government might sign a long-term framework agreement
with the United States, under which Washington would be
allowed to set up permanent military bases in the
country and US citizens would be granted immunity from
legal prosecution in the country.
While the mainstream media keep mum about the accord,
critics say the agreement would virtually put Iraq under
the US tutelage and violate the country's sovereignty.
The source added Ayatollah Sistani, however, backed PM
al-Maliki's government and its efforts and that of the
nation to establish security in the country.
The mandate of US troops in Iraq will expire in December
2008 and al-Maliki's government is under US pressure to
sign 'a mutual security agreement' which would allow the
long-term presence of US troops in Iraq.
Washington's plan has so far faced fierce protests by
religious figures including Ayatollah Seyyed Kazem Haeri,
another senior Shia cleric, and it is expected that
other religious figures join the efforts to prevent the
deal.
The US has signed similar agreements with countries like
Japan and South Korea and thousands of US troops are now
stationed in the countries.
Subject: [al_hadi]
Articles of the treaty signed between US & Iraq
The first
article of the treaty allows the US Army to carry
out military operations in Iraq at any time and any
place.
Under Article 2, American and British troops can
arrest suspects at any time without the consent of the
Iraqi government.
Article 3 reinforces Article 10 by asserting that
there are no time limits for the presence of American
forces, thus annulling the 1790 UN Security Council
anti-occupation Resolution.
The contents of the treaty will dissipate all hopes of a
sovereign Iraq, turning the country into a US colony.
According to Article 4, American servicemen and
non-servicemen are not obliged to attend any court
hearings in Iraq, literally granting them capitulation
privileges.
Article 6 allows the US to set up 14 military
bases in Iraq;
Article 7 puts the Iraqi ministries of defense,
interior and intelligence under the direct supervision
of US officials, ensuring Iraq will be officially
governed by the United States.
Article 8 provides American forces with the
authority to supervise arms sales as well as train Iraqi
military and law enforcement personnel.
Article 9 argues that as a member of the
international community Iraq must recognize Israel and
unconditionally support Washington's Middle East
policies. |
