Iraq will not be bullied into signing US pact
Iraq will not be bullied into signing a security pact with the United States despite top US leaders warning of potentially dire consequences if it does not, the government spokesman said yesterday.
Ali al-Dabbagh blasted US military chief Admiral Michael Mullen for saying that Baghdad faced the potential of significant losses if a deal is not concluded to keep American forces in Iraq beyond year end.
On Tuesday, Mullen had said that if Baghdad delayed signing the deal beyond the current UN mandate, which ends on December 31, its security forces "will not be ready to provide for their security."
In a strongly worded statement, Dabbagh said the "Iraqi government is deeply concerned by the statement of Admiral Michael Mullen.
"Such a statement is not welcomed by Iraq."
"It is not correct to force Iraqis into making a choice and it is not appropriate to talk with the Iraqis in this way."
Iraqi military spokesman Brigadier General Qassim Atta also insisted that Iraqi forces were ready to handle security across the country.
Comments