Iraq passes Status of Forces Agreement

The Iraqi parliament ratified the Status of Forces Agreement, but with a major change. The agreement mandates that American forces are completely withdrawn by the end of 2011, but it adds a referendum by July, 2009 at which time the Iraqi people can demand that they be withdrawn in one year’s time, or July, 2010:

The vote came after a flurry of last-minute negotiations in which the main Sunni parties secured a package of political reforms from the government and a commitment to hold a referendum on the pact no later than July 30.

Should the Iraqi government decide to cancel the pact after the referendum it would have to give Washington one year’s notice, meaning that troops would be allowed to remain in the country only until the summer of 2010.

The agreement gives the Iraqi government veto power over military operations by American troops. It forbids American troops from making arrests without the permission of the Iraqi government, requires the United States to turn over all prisoners being held to the Iraqi justice system and requires American military leaders to get explicit permission from the government before undertaking any new missions.