WASHINGTON — Iraq and the United States have concluded a long-term
security accord that would lead to a stable bilateral relationship over time.
On Monday, President George Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki
signed the
U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation, which
officials termed the first step toward a normalized, bilateral relationship.
"Although the nature of our engagement will transition significantly
over time," Brett McGurk, director for Iraq in the U.S. National Security
Council, said. "And as the months of the years go by, far less military, far
more economic, diplomatic, political."
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McGurk said the document provided a framework for future negotiations
between the two countries. He said the declaration was divided into
political, economic and security issues.
Officials said the United States has sought a long-term military
presence in Iraq that would ensure stability and maintain its energy sector, Middle East Newsline reported.
They said the U.S. military would also spend the next five years training
the Iraqi military and security forces.
A White House fact sheet said the accord was meant to support the Iraqi
government in "training, equipping, and arming the Iraqi security forces so
they can provide security and stability to all Iraqis." The fact sheet also
cited U.S. aid in the war against Al Qaida.
Negotiations to define the Iraqi-U.S. relations were not expected to
begin before 2009. Over the next year, the United Nations would be asked to
renew its resolution to extend the mandate of the U.S.-led Multinational
Force, Iraq.
"It's U.S. support for Iraq diplomatically, politically, economically,
and giving the security support that Iraq needs," McGurk said. "It sends a
signal to the region that the United States is committed to Iraq for the
long term — that we're not packing up and leaving."
