The Political Chase

Operation Iraq Forever

President Bush began his march into Iraq with Operation Iraqi Freedom and will leave the White House, and the next president with Operation Iraq Forever. Bush, Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and other Iraqi “officials” signed an agreement today that establishes long-term “common principles to frame [Iraq and the U.S.] future relationship.” The agreement is formally referred to as the U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation.

George and Nuri, Best Friends Forever

From the White House Fact Sheet (pdf - see Ed. Note below) (Emphasis in original)

• Iraq’s leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America, and we seek an enduring relationship with a democratic Iraq. We are ready to build that relationship in a sustainable way that protects our mutual interests, promotes regional stability, and requires fewer Coalition forces.
• In response, this Declaration is the first step in a three-step process that will normalize U.S.-Iraqi relations in a way which is consistent with Iraq’s sovereignty and will help Iraq regain its rightful status in the international community – something both we and the Iraqis seek. The second step is the renewal of the Multinational Force-Iraq’s Chapter VII United Nations mandate for a final year, followed by the third step, the negotiation of the detailed arrangements that will codify our bilateral relationship after the Chapter VII mandate expires.

Quite conveniently, it provides a three-step process of hugs and kisses that includes extending the UN Chapter VII resolution, which is “binding under international law” and gives the MNFI (viz. U.S.) legal authorization to “take all necessary measures to preserve peace and security”. That is a very wide-open dangerous authorization.

Furthermore, a one-year extension equates to December 31, 2008, which, of course gives Mr. Bush the opportunity to extend it again before he heads to Crawford.

President Bush, Malaki, and the rest of their Iraqi buddies developed the agreement, which falls just short of a treaty, in a meeting on August 26, 2007. Commenting on the agreement after the meeting the Decider said,

Iraq’s leaders “understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends beyond my presidency. These Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America.

This is just great news. George Bush has just assured the next president, and quite likely many more, will be stuck with the war in Iraq and protecting Maliki’s position as Prime Minister developing Iraq’s budget in perpetuity. Presidential candidate responses?

Maliki: Butt Out of My Country’s Politics

Moreover, Mr. Bush’s declaration that the Iraqi leaders asked for this BFF agreement is in stark contrast with remarks Maliki made the day the Best Friends Forever met to form this agreement. In no uncertain terms, Maliki told members of the U.S. Senate to butt out of his country’s politics.

“There are American officials who consider Iraq as if it were one of their villages, for example Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin,” al-Maliki told reporters in Baghdad. “This is severe interference in our domestic affairs.”

“Carl Levin and Hillary Clinton are from the Democratic Party and they must demonstrate democracy,” al-Maliki said. “I ask them to come to their senses and to talk in a respectful way about Iraq.”

Bush Ensures His Corporate BFF’s Presence

Could there be any doubt that Mr. Bush was ensuring the best interests of companies such as Haliburton and Blackwater? In September the Decider said “the Iraqi leaders understand their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement…we are ready to begin building that relationship – in a way that protects our interests in the region”

From the Fact Sheet (emphasis in original):

Economic: Both countries have agreed to support the development of Iraqi economic institutions and further integration into international financial institutions, to encourage all parties to abide by their commitments made in the International Compact with Iraq, to assist Iraq in its efforts to recover illegally exported funds and properties and to secure debt relief, and to encourage the flow of foreign investments to Iraq.

(Ed. Note: I am no longer linking directly to White House documents. Instead, I am duplicating the documents and storing them as PDF documents. The Bush administration will most likely obliterate the WH web site as they walk out the door in 2009. A link to the original source will be in the PDF documents, for as long as it continues to operate.)