Iraq Wants Timetable For U.S. Withdrawal

July 9, 2008 10:47 a.m. EST

Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - A senior Iraqi official on Wednesday demanded a date for U.S. troops withdrawal in the region and warns it will reject any security deal with Washington that does not spell out a timetable.

Speaking in the city of Najaf, Iraq's National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie said, "We will not accept any memorandum of understanding if it does not give a specific date for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops. Our stance in the negotiations under way with the American side will be strong," he said, but added that it was proving "very difficult" to set a pullout date.

Al-Rubaie was echoing a statement issued by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Monday insisting of a timetable for U.S. troops withdrawal.

But Washington said the pull-out must be based on "conditions," and not calendars. The United Nations mandate that allows U.S. troops presence in the region will expire in December 2008.

Gonzalo Gallegos, spokesman for the U.S. state department said Washington and Baghdad have agreed in principle a U.S. withdrawal.

He said, "However, that decision will be conditions-based. We're looking at conditions, not calendars here."

Gallegos adds negotiations was "making progress" and remains committed to withdrawing its troops. He said the U.S. has transferred more than 50 percent of control of Iraqi provinces to local authorities.

The U.S. also wants to forge a bilateral Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government and negotiations have started in March.

Majority of Iraqi people want to see American military presence in the region to end but at the same time are fearful of security consequences.

The issue of withdrawal has also sparked debate between Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his Republican rival John McCain on Tuesday.

McCain's position echoes the policy of the Bush administration that withdrawal should be based on security situation and not on timetable.

For his part, Obama said he supports the call of al-Maliki for a timetable for U.S. troops withdrawal.