Secret Iraq Withdrawal Agreement

An agreement regarding the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Iraq and regulating the U.S. activities during its temporary presence, between the United States and the Iraqi government

November 16th, 2008

Foreword

Iraq and the U.S., referred to here as “both sides”, affirm the importance of: supporting their joint security, participating in global peace and stability, fighting terrorism, cooperation in the fields of security and defense, and deterring invasions and threats against Iraq’s sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and Iraq’s democratic federal constitutional regime.

Both sides affirm that this cooperation is based on mutual respect of both sides’ sovereignty in accordance with the United Nations’ goals and principles.

Both sides want to achieve mutual understanding to support their collaboration, without jeopardizing Iraq’s sovereignty over its land, water, and sky, and based on the mutual guarantees given as equal and independent sovereign partners.

Both sides have agreed on:

Check it

Israels Aggression on Palestinian Territory

Great Pictures and Message.




Stumble It!

Message from Lebanon

Stumble It!

Daily Darfur: Stop Sweet-Talking War Criminals

I've been in a bit of a communications bubble the last few days while traveling through parts of southern Africa (the lack of phone and internet was also often accompanied by a notable lack of electricity), so I'm playing a bit of catch-up with world news. (And sorting through about a bazillion emails.)

Many thanks to Martha for taking over the blog in my absence---she did a fantastic job. And congratulations to Joey Cheek for his nomination for Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, which Martha wrote about here. I echo Martha's pride, and also send kudos to SI for recognizing that sport is more than just a game.

On to Darfur.

I'm a tad frustrated with this quote from an article on the Darfur refugee/IDP crisis:

"The United Nations is trying to persuade Darfur rebels to open new peace negotiations with the Khartoum government after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir offered a cease-fire and said he was willing to address some rebel demands. So far, rebels have rejected an immediate cease-fire, demanding Khartoum disarm the feared Arab militias known as janjaweed.

"Meanwhile, government forces and airplanes have bombed roads and clashed with rebel fighters in some areas in northern Darfur since the cease-fire offer, feeding the rebels' distrust."