The Repercussions of American Pressure Have Begun to Show

Both the pressure and threats made by the U.S. over the security agreement have begun to falter, as have the repercussions become clearer through Iraqi statements. These are statements which, in all sadness, reflect an unmatched readiness by Iraqis to back down over the fundaments which they once trumpeted and were the reason behind the lengthening of negotiations.

Certainly, if we can imagine UN negotiations ending and a subsequent exit of U.S. forces from Iraq, our future will be unknown if we do not arrive at a context in which Iraq is protected from foreign greed and is steered from internal calamities. These are, after all, calamities which seep through the Iraqi political structure and forewarn of a military coup, rebellion or even unforeseen circumstances.

The U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates’ statement a few days ago, in which he spoke of the US’ intention to leave Iraq and to not lengthen its stay this time, contains an element of truth if we apply this to the context in which the U.S. finds itself. That is one of large-scale financial collapse, which coincides with the Democrats’ closing in on the seat of power. Of course, we do not know their real projections on the issue of Iraq, particularly in light of Obama’s announcement that he will focus on Afghanistan and not Iraq.

Talk of other solutions in the event of an American exit from Iraq at this moment is very difficult. Time is passing and there remains no more than several days before a countdown to the U.S. departure from Iraq. However these moments have placed the Iraqi politician in a vortex of deep thought about the deadlock, which was not originally in his calculations.

I believe that putting Iraq in this impasse was intended by the U.S., as it chose the right time to begin negotiations in order to compel its Iraqi counterpart [to agree]. The U.S. was certain it would sign the current draft of the security agreement when the time finally came.

The departure of American forces from Iraq will bring much elation, at the same time placing us in the unknown which we fear might be worse than our current circumstances. This is a scene that only the Iraqi politician can picture, the same politician which has placed himself in a historical role which will be remembered by both history and generations to come, either with mercy and as heroes or as damned figures in a cursed time.

However, this does not mean that the Iraqi negotiator or the general Iraqi position is weak. On the contrary, this position has astonished all those that have followed the negotiations with doubt and scepticism. For this reason, I think that the Iraqi negotiator and the government did what it should and its fall into this harsh deadlock was outside of its control.

*An Iraqi writer and journalist.

almifarji55@yahoo.com