Military pact traps Baghdad between US, Iran

BAGHDAD - As the United States and Iraq approach a deal on the future US military presence in the country, Baghdad is trapped between Washington's demands and Tehran's fears about US influence in the region, politicians and analysts say.

Since the 2003 US-led invasion, and especially since Iraq's Shiite majority came to power three years ago, predominantly Shiite Iran has seen Iraq as a natural ally, and sought to influence it.

Iran, which shares the same Islamic beliefs and provided refuge for several senior Iraqi figures during the regime of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein, is not happy with the occupation of Iraq by arch-foe the United States.

The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) being negotiated between Washington and Baghdad since February will fix American troop withdrawal plan after December 31.

This week the White House said the deal was more or less done, but the Iraqi cabinet decided to seek revisions, triggering concerns among top US military and political figures about the risks of not having a deal.

The arrangement is fiercely opposed by Iran.

"The Americans have shown that they do not respect any agreement and, if their interests require it, they are ready to sacrifice their closest friends," Ahmadinejad said.

"They do not distinguish among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. They want to prevent the creation of a strong and powerful Iraq, the better to pillage the country."

For its part, the United States has sharply criticised Iran for trying to undermine and derail the agreement that it claims as crucial to Iraq.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Wednesday that "Iranian meddling in Iraq takes on all forms."

The Iranians "have made their displeasure with this agreement known" he said.

Last week General Raymond Odierno, the US commander in Iraq, told The Washington Post that Iran was working publicly and covertly to undermine the military pact, that will likely see US soldiers stay until 2011.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh called the comments inappropriate.

"These kinds of remarks are likely to tarnish the good relations between Iraq and the forces of the international coalition," he said.

Science and Technology Minister Raid Jahid Fahmi said Baghdad had been walking a tightrope between Washington's demands and Iranian fears over the US.

"During the negotiations we have sought to calm the fears of our neighbours (the Iranians) and we have been very careful in discussions with the United States that the draft accord is not seen as a threat to anyone," Fahmi said.

"Iran has acted on its national interests and believes that the American presence is a threat," he said.

"It therefore wants the departure of the troops."

At a cabinet meeting an Iraqi minister suggested controlling the incoming US mail for fear it might contain equipment perceived harmful for Iran, a government official told AFP on conditition of anonymity.

Joost Hiltermann, Middle East director for the International Crisis Group, said Iran wanted to subvert US power in Iraq.

"A delay in signing the security pact in particular would be a bloody nose for the Bush administration, " Hiltermann said.

Most Iraqis are opposed to any kind of deal with Washington that would keep American forces in the country, and that would give US forces immunity from being punished when they commit war crimes against Iraqis.


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