Obama Demands Iraq War Changes

[babylonsister]

Obama Demands Iraq War Changes

By Jason Leopold
November 7, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama, in one of the first policy statements of his transition, demanded that the Bush administration either submit the proposed U.S.-Iraq “status-of-forces agreement” to Congress or leave an opening for him to change it next year.

Obama’s transition office posted a statement on its Web site, declaring that any agreement on the future of U.S. troops in Iraq “should be negotiated in the context of a broader commitment by the U.S. to begin withdrawing its troops and forswearing permanent bases.”

The statement also insisted that the agreement authorizing the presence of U.S. troops on Iraqi soil beyond a United Nations mandate that expires Dec. 31 “must be subject to Congressional approval.”

Obama’s transition office noted the irony that the Iraqi government was submitting the agreement to its parliament while the Bush administration was set on approving the troop deal on its own authority.

“It is unacceptable that the Iraqi government will present the agreement to the Iraqi parliament for approval — yet the Bush administration will not do the same with the U.S. Congress,” the statement read. “The Bush administration must submit the agreement to Congress or allow the next administration to negotiate an agreement that has bipartisan support here at home and makes absolutely clear that the U.S. will not maintain permanent bases in Iraq.”

more...

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/110708b.html

Obama Statement Here:

http://change.gov/agenda/iraq/

[Ichingcarpenter]

1. That was quick.... damn he's good I wondered if

he would address this pressing issue that quick. I expected next week maybe, but not today.

He's making Junior look likea inept spoiled adolescent that's totally out his league.
I'm still not use to this adults running the government thing yet.

[babylonsister]

8. Yes, he's good and it's something we have to get used to, luckily! nt

[Joe Chi Minh]

16. Those permanent bases! The very things that the Iraqis will never ever

tolerate. As it is, Bushco seem to be building virtually a city there by way of a vast Embassy, if you please! The bases represent both the purpose (with the oil plunder) of the invasion, and the symbol in the eyes of the Arab world of the underlying reality - US occupation of a sovereign nation.

[MadMaddie]

2. Next up Guantanamo...

[jwirr]

7. Yes, we can close all secret prisons and transfer prisoners to US

prisons for the determination of their cases. Habeas Corpus here we come.

[msongs]

3. Iraqis need a referendum vote asking us to leave - thus they are responsible for outcomes nt

[Imagevision]

4. Agreed, Iraqi's want us out ASAP - Afganistan, boom!

[babylonsister]

5. Afghanistan is a total clusterfuck. I have no idea how that will be handled,

I have to believe not disastrously.

[jacksonian]

6. wow, a shot across the bow of Shrub

no slipping in permanent bases in this interim, Georgie.

there was in a line in the press conference today about how he intends to oversight the bailout spending to make sure it's used for what it should.

I don't think Obama trusts Chimpy. I can't imagine why.

[babylonsister]

9. Kick, for a good thing. nt

[babylonsister]

10. .

[Hissyspit]

11. Where are the recommendations for this?

[Tuesday_Morning]

12. Go Barack!

:applause:

[ClayZ]

13. Wooooooot! Go POTUS 44

[tritsofme]

14. An undisclosed source revealed that details of the plan will be released in 24 business hours

More at 11.

[yurbud]

15. wow, a president who cares about democracy--pinch me.