Bush wants 50 military bases, control of Iraqi airspace and legal immunity for all American soldiers and contractors (The Independent, UK, 5 June, 200.

A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presedential election in November. [The]... accord... threatens to provide a political crisis in the US. President Bush wants to push it through by the end of next month so he can declare a military victory and claim his 2003 invasion has been vindicated. But by perpetuating the US presence in Iraq, the long-term settlement would undercut pledges by the Democratic presedential nominee, Barack Obama, to withdraw US troops if he is elected president in November.

The timing of the agreement would also boost the Republican candidate, John McCain, who has claimed the United States is on the verge of victory in Iraq - a victory that he says Mr Obama would theow away by a premature military withdrawal....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...ol-840512.html

That is terrible . I caught some radio chatter today about protests due to this. I read the article and find some of those things unbelieveable! It doesn't bode well for this region. How could any Military strategist think this will have anything but volatile effect on the region? Is that the goal ; stir up the dragons nest and claim hostilities!

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EVERY WORD YOU SAY IS A DOOR WAY TO YOU!

Bush is ending the pretence that Iraq is a "democratic state". The new "security accords" that he is imposing, will strip the country of its sovereignty and allow it to be used as a platform to launch more wars. This is the thrust of a secret treaty - known as the Status of Forces Agreement - that is being imposed on the country. Even the puppet iraqi parliament and its pro-occupation allies have found it difficult to stomach.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi's took to the streets last week as the provisions in the "accords" were leaked to the Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat.

Bush wants to establish 400 permanent military installations, including bases near the Turkish, Iramian and Syrian borders. Included in the treaty is the right for the US to launch wars on "third countries" from Iraqi soil. This is a direct threat against Iraq's neighbours and another step towards a war on Iran.

But for many iraqi's, the biggest insult in the new treaty is that all US troops, citizens and mercenaries - the so called contractors - will be immune from Iraqi law.

Under these terms, occupation forces can use deadly force under any conditions, giving them a green light to arrest, imprison or kill any Iraqi with no fear of prosecution or regard for the country's institutions.

Also included in the treaty is a provision that all deals and undertakings for reconstruction contracts negotiated since the occupation began will become null and void. This clears the way for a US monopoly over the economy.

Iraq is strategically critical to the US in its war on terrorism and like US bases throughout Germany, Japan and Korea, the US will be there defending its interests as long as Americans retain power in the US Federal government.

This argument is not one which speaks to American interests, it speaks against American interests which only helps our enemies.

I wonder if a person who speaks against American interests and for the interests of the enemies of Americans can be said to be an American?

Actually Jerome, it is you, and people like you, who support Bush and his shreading of our Constitution and laws that are UnAmerican.

Well said. My sentiments entirely.

The Iraqi's are now beginning to eb able to stand on their own. It's awful what we did and how long it has taken, but such is the plight carrying out the notion of an Imperial Garrison...

Maybe eventually we'll be able to begin reconciling with the Middle East,but the problem is Iran, there is too much secrecy there and I think one thing Bush made clear is that the he and the Neo-Cons are willing to use 'Hard Power' to resolve disputes in the Middle east especially when WMD's are involved....

If any body on here can't see this for what it is, then we are in serious trouble. Bush is carrying out the doctrine of continuing Pax Americana and is going around the wrong way of doing it, which annoys me. His Geopolitical decisions are all in the wrong place, we have enough oil stateside to deal with domestic consumption and then some.

What we should really be doing is empowering the fledging democracies of Africa with our military at their governments disgression. China is insidiously using 'Soft Power' to gain ground in Africa which is a big worry. However, the US is currently in a position where it could carry out what I have out forward and if this act was done under Obama, we would have the continent and then could work about lifting the Africans from their never ending proletarian status they have enjoyed ever since any outsiders have ever visited.....

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I'll tell you this no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn
Nothing to kill or die for and no religion too
You may bury my body, down by the highway side,
so my old evil spirit can get a Greyhound bus and ride.

"Imperial Garrison" what a great descriptive term!!!

I do support President Bush in his execution of the War on the false religion of Islam that declares a right to murder innocent people, AKA: Terrorism.

I support his decisive action to destroy regimes which promoted and assisted, directly and indirectly the interests of these infidels.

I am not however aware of any action with regard to the war against false Muslims (Terrorists) that shreds the US Constitution. I am howeveraware of unconstitutional policy such as the Medicare prescription subsidies which are unconstitutional, spending tax money to subsidize special interests.

Now there is nothing in the US Constitution which provides for the power of government to be utilized to give money to these special interests.

Now that's an example where I see Bush scrapping th USC, what would be an example which you feel represents Bush scrapping the USC?

More anti-Americanism. Lame, very, very lame.