US, Iraq to fix timetable on troop withdrawal

“We have agreed that some goals, some aspirational timetables for how that might unfold, are well worth having in such an agreement,” Rice told reporters after meeting with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The two sides had come together on a draft agreement earlier this week and Rice made an unannounced visit to Baghdad to press officials there to complete the accord.

Zebari, asked about fears expressed by neighbouring countries over such a pact, said in Arabic: “This decision (agreement) is a sovereign one and Iran and other neighbouring countries have the right to ask for clarifications… There are clear articles (that) say that Iraq will not be used as a launching pad for any aggressive acts against neighbouring countries and we already did clarify this.”

A key part of the US-Iraqi draft agreement envisions the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq’s cities by next June 30.

Zebari said: “This agreement determines the principle provisions, requirements, to regulate the temporary presence and the time horizon, the mission of the US forces.”

On the plane to Baghdad, Rice had told reporters, “The negotiators have taken this very, very far. But there is no reason to believe that there is an agreement yet. There are still issues concerning exactly how our forces operate.”

Her comments dampened speculation that agreement might be reached while she is in Baghdad on a several-hour visit, her first to Iraq since March.

US and Iraqi officials had said on Wednesday that a draft document was done and awaiting approval from political leaders. Rice displayed similar caution in the news conference with Zebari.

“Obviously, the American forces are here, coalition forces are here at the invitation of the Iraqi Government,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is put together an agreement that protects our people, respects Iraq’s sovereignty… But the goal is to have Iraqi forces responsible for the security of Iraq,” Rice added.

“We’re not sitting here talking about an agreement to try to get out of a bad situation,” Rice said, calling the agreement one that “builds on the success we have had in the last year. This agreement is based on success.”

Zebari conceded that officials had hoped to conclude the pact earlier, but said that “it has taken us more time,” citing internal political factors.

The Foreign Minister said the pact that US and Iraqi officials are trying to finish will be presented to Iraq’s Executive Council for review. “Time is of the essence,” he said, “but, really, we are redoubling our efforts to bring this to a successful conclusion.”