| SECURITY ISSUES IN IRAQ 17/11/08 |
| (2008-11-17) |
| Last updated: 2008-11-18 18:08 EET |
The Pentagon’s spokesmen often praise the army’s progress on the Iraqi front, but in reality the current situation isn’t so bright. On Sunday, 18 people were killed, including 7 policemen and 2 members of the pro-government Sunni militia. Political analysts claim that one of the first progresses made by the current president-elect Barack Obama is his influence over the American people in sharing his opposition to the war in Iraq, which was started in 2003. Suicide bombings and ambushes on American troops have forced the current US administration to come to an agreement with the Government in Baghdad, compelling all American troops to leave the country by 2011.
The calling home of all 150,000 US soldiers currently fighting on Iraqi soil will commence next year. White House officials hope this agreement will have beneficial effects for both the Iraqi people as well as the United States, and will “send a signal to the region and to the entire world, that both governments are working together to secure a stable and democratic future for Iraq.” However, the agreement does not entail the withdrawal of troops sent by America’s allies.
Authorities in Bucharest will have to conclude a separate agreement with their counterparts in Baghdad on the some 500 Romanian soldiers currently stationed in Iraq. The outcome of such an agreement is clearly predictable. Two years ago, the Presidency firmly opposed the Government’s decision to call back the Romanian soldiers stationed in Iraq. Now, however, both the political class as well as public opinion are pro-withdrawal, and this time no one could accuse Romania of not fulfilling its international duties.
|
2025-04-03
Print
Listen again