US Bases in Iraq Threaten Neighbors

Source: Alalam.ir, 06-07-2008

BAGHDAD--The US is Planning to establish military bases in Iraq with the objective of launching attacks against Iraqi neighboring countries, Iran and Syria in particular, the head of al-Araq Research Center has said.

Mohammad Sadeq al-Hashemi told Alalam satellite TV on Saturday that the Iraqi premier Nuri al-Maliki has informed the US president George W. Bush that "he would not let the Iraqi soil, airspace and waterways be used as a launch pad against Iran or on any other countries in the region."

Maliki, in a video link talk with Bush on Friday, warned the US against using of Iraqi territory for launching any military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Al-Iraqiya television reported.

The head of Iraqi research center described Maliki's decision as a "blow" to the US security agreement and its goals and plans in the region.

Al-Hashemi further said that the prime minister's stance is well indicative of the Iraqi nation's will which stipulates Iraq sovereignty, expulsion of occupiers, seizing powers from the US officials, not granting them impunity and not allowing them to establish military bases for launching attack on neighboring countries.

He said Maliki's statements show that the security agreement between the US and Iraq may not be signed, "and this means that the US has failed to reach its pre-planned objectives."

The Iraqi researcher said that prime minister Maliki, who is backed by religious authorities, people, and political parties and groups, speaks in his capacity.

The US seeks to gain a long term foothold in the region by striking a security deal with the Iraqi government which guarantees the occupation troops' presence in the war-wracked country after the UN's mandate expires at the end of 2008.

The yet-not-concluded deal gives the US a free rein to conduct military operation wherever and whenever it deems necessary, without consultations with the Iraqi government.

Large crowds of Iraqis on Friday denounced the security pact Baghdad is negotiating with Washington, shouting anti-US slogans as they demonstrated after the weekly Friday prayers.

Last November US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed to sign the pact by July 31 this year and Washington and Baghdad are currently negotiating the security pact.

However, the country's political factions have strongly opposed the agreement, saying it would put Iraq on the path to "slavery."

On Thursday Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari tried to dispel such fears by saying that the agreement would not compromise Iraqi sovereignty.

He said if the two countries failed to sign the deal then Iraq may have to ask for the renewal of the UN mandate or sign a separate bilateral deal with Washington.

The UN mandate is the legal basis for the presence of the US-led foreign troops in the country.