Iraq insists on withdrawal timetable

Hinges signing of US troop pact on departure dates

Iraqi soldiers carried rusted bombs dumped at a military depot in Taji, Iraq. The Iraqi army's main warehouses are being cleared out to make room for the needs of its swelling ranks. (Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters)

BAGHDAD - Iraq's national security adviser said yesterday that his government would not sign an agreement governing the future role of US troops in Iraq unless it includes a timetable for their withdrawal.

The statement was the strongest demand yet by a senior Iraqi official for the two governments to set specific dates for the departure of US forces. Speaking to reporters in the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf, National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie said his government was "impatiently waiting" for the complete withdrawal of US troops.

"There should not be any permanent bases in Iraq unless these bases are under Iraqi control," Rubaie said, referring to negotiations toward a bilateral agreement governing the future US military role in Iraq that would go into effect when a United Nations mandate expires in December.

"We would not accept any memorandum of understanding with [the US] side that has no obvious and specific dates for the foreign troops' withdrawal from Iraq," Rubaie said.

US officials said the remarks, along with a similar statement Monday by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, were aimed at local and regional audiences, and do not reflect fundamental disagreements with the Bush administration.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said specific withdrawal dates are not part of the talks. He added: "We have great confidence that the political leadership in Iraq would not take an action that would destabilize the country."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that he anticipates continued drawdowns of US troops from Iraq as Iraqi security forces take charge. But despite pressure from the Iraqi government for a withdrawal timeline, Gates said further troop reductions will depend on conditions on the ground.

"As the Iraqi security forces get stronger and get better then we will be able to continue drawing down our troops in the future," Gates told reporters yesterday during a visit to Fort Lewis, Wash.

The outcome of the negotiations on the future role of US forces in Iraq is almost certain to have political consequences for Maliki and other Iraqi leaders with close ties to the United States. Many Iraqis are opposed to the presence of US troops in their country and the debate has become a key wedge issue as Iraqi politicians gear up for provincial elections scheduled to take place in the fall.

Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, perhaps Maliki's most formidable Shi'ite opponent, is staunchly opposed to the presence of US troops and has vowed to designate a band of his militia, the Mahdi Army, to attack American troops.

Also yesterday, a US soldier was killed at about 9:30 a.m. west of Baghdad when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle, the military said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the military said yesterday that four contractors were killed and eight were wounded Monday afternoon south of the northern city of Mosul when a roadside bomb struck their convoy. An Iraqi security official said the contractors were Iraqis working for the US government.