December 12, 2011Clinton and Zebari launch new chapter in Iraqi relations
Washington D.C., USA U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tells Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari the U.S. has entered a "new chapter in relations" with Iraq.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington on Monday to announce a newly created Joint Coordination Committee, as U.S. troops exit by year-end.
Clinton promised Iraq that the United States would remain a strong partner as Iraq rebuilds itself as a democracy.
"Together we are opening a new chapter in relations between Iraq and the United States under our strategic framework agreement," she told Zebari at a joint meeting in the State Department.
Continues ...read more ..
"We believe these are truly historic days for both nations and as we complete the withdrawal of American troops we are defining our new partnership with a free and democratic Iraq."
Clinton said the Strategic Framework Agreement commits the U.S. and Iraq to work together on a wide range of issues from governance and the rule of law, as well as education energy and developing wealth.
The withdrawal of almost all U.S. troops from Iraq by Dec. 31 has created uncertainty at a time the region remains roiled by the Arab Spring, and amid fear Syrian instability could spread sectarian strife into neighbouring Iraq.
But Clinton said the U.S. was "very committed" to doing everything to support this new Iraqi democracy and that Washington was pleased by the steps Iraq had taken to protect its countries minorities.
Zebari agreed Washington would continue to be a major force in the country, even though, as he said "in different forms not through the military means or security means or through the civilian or diplomatic means".
Fulfilling a vow to Americans weary of the nearly nine year old war as he campaigns for re-election in 2012, President Barack Obama's order for the troops to leave came after a deal to keep thousands of U.S. trainers on the ground failed on the issue of immunity from prosecution in Iraq.
Almost 4,500 U.S. troops have died since President George W. Bush ordered the invasion in 2003, based on claims of weapons of mass destruction and al Qaeda ties that turned out not to exist.
The departure of U.S. troops also raises questions about the ability of Iraqi security forces to keep the peace in a country still scarred by a bitter 2006-2007 civil war in which thousands died in sectarian and ethnic fighting.
link
No comments:
Post a Comment