Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Mideast Stars and Stripes
October 17, 2008
By Joseph Giordono, Stars and Stripes
Reacting to criticism by the Iraqi government, U.S. military officials in Baghdad are clarifying a claim by the top U.S. commander in the country that Iran was attempting to bribe Iraqi officials to prevent the passage of a troop-basing agreement.
In an interview with The Washington Post earlier this week, Gen. Ray Odierno was quoted as saying "there are intelligence reports" suggesting Iranians are "coming in to pay off people to vote against" the Status of Forces Agreement being negotiated by Iraq and the U.S.
Late Wednesday, the U.S. command in Baghdad issued a statement titled "Iranians linked to attempt to bribe Iraqi officials."
The statement read, in part, "[Multi-National Force—Iraq] further clarified that this is no way infers that any Iraqi government officials accepted bribes."
It included a quote attributed to MNF-I spokesman Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, saying, "the Council of Representatives members work hard to represent and serve the Iraqi people performing an honorable, critical role in building the new Iraq."
After Odierno’s original comments were published, Iraqi officials responded sharply, calling them "inappropriate."
"The Iraqi government expresses its deep concern after the statements attributed to General Raymond Odierno," an Iraqi government statement read. "These kind of remarks are likely to tarnish the good relations between Iraq and the forces of the international coalition."
The ongoing SOFA negotiations have reportedly been complicated by both sides’ efforts to get concessions on key issues. Iraqi lawmakers on Wednesday were quoted as saying a deal was near, and that the final agreement could include provisions for U.S. troops being tried in Iraqi courts for major crimes committed off duty and off U.S. bases.
The agreement would also reportedly move U.S. combat forces out of Iraqi cities by next summer and set a goal of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2011.
In the Post interview published on Monday, Odierno was quoted as saying that Iran was working both publicly and covertly to torpedo the pact.
"Clearly, this is one they’re having a full-court press on to try to ensure there’s never any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq," Odierno said, according to the report. "We know that there are many relationships with people here for many years going back to when Saddam was in charge, and I think they’re utilizing those contacts to attempt to influence the outcome of the potential vote in the council of representatives."
American officials have long accused Iran of meddling in Iraq, giving training, weapons and support to Shiite factions in the country. Iran has denied the allegations.
October 17, 2008
By Joseph Giordono, Stars and Stripes
Reacting to criticism by the Iraqi government, U.S. military officials in Baghdad are clarifying a claim by the top U.S. commander in the country that Iran was attempting to bribe Iraqi officials to prevent the passage of a troop-basing agreement.
In an interview with The Washington Post earlier this week, Gen. Ray Odierno was quoted as saying "there are intelligence reports" suggesting Iranians are "coming in to pay off people to vote against" the Status of Forces Agreement being negotiated by Iraq and the U.S.
Late Wednesday, the U.S. command in Baghdad issued a statement titled "Iranians linked to attempt to bribe Iraqi officials."
The statement read, in part, "[Multi-National Force—Iraq] further clarified that this is no way infers that any Iraqi government officials accepted bribes."
It included a quote attributed to MNF-I spokesman Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, saying, "the Council of Representatives members work hard to represent and serve the Iraqi people performing an honorable, critical role in building the new Iraq."
After Odierno’s original comments were published, Iraqi officials responded sharply, calling them "inappropriate."
"The Iraqi government expresses its deep concern after the statements attributed to General Raymond Odierno," an Iraqi government statement read. "These kind of remarks are likely to tarnish the good relations between Iraq and the forces of the international coalition."
The ongoing SOFA negotiations have reportedly been complicated by both sides’ efforts to get concessions on key issues. Iraqi lawmakers on Wednesday were quoted as saying a deal was near, and that the final agreement could include provisions for U.S. troops being tried in Iraqi courts for major crimes committed off duty and off U.S. bases.
The agreement would also reportedly move U.S. combat forces out of Iraqi cities by next summer and set a goal of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2011.
In the Post interview published on Monday, Odierno was quoted as saying that Iran was working both publicly and covertly to torpedo the pact.
"Clearly, this is one they’re having a full-court press on to try to ensure there’s never any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq," Odierno said, according to the report. "We know that there are many relationships with people here for many years going back to when Saddam was in charge, and I think they’re utilizing those contacts to attempt to influence the outcome of the potential vote in the council of representatives."
American officials have long accused Iran of meddling in Iraq, giving training, weapons and support to Shiite factions in the country. Iran has denied the allegations.