The Iraq parlaiment is now in position to ratify a security pact with the US that "would require U.S. forces to leave by Dec. 31, 2011 unless Iraq asked some of them to stay."

"A copy of the draft accord obtained by The Associated Press specifies that U.S. troops must leave Iraqi cities by the end of June and be gone by 2012. It gives Iraq limited authority over off-duty, off-base U.S. soldiers who commit crimes."

"U.S. Congressional approval is not required for the pact to take effect, but the administration is trying to build maximum political support anyway."


But apparently the Iraqi people are uninformed of the terms and are protesting.
"Several of the Sunni and Shiite clerics who wield considerable influence in shaping public opinion, also spoke out during Friday prayer services against the draft, complaining that the Iraqi public knows little about the terms."

Al Sadr, who currently resides in Iran, doubts the the pact will give Iraq sovereignty and has called for protests.

""If they tell you that the agreement ends the presence of the occupation, let me tell you that the occupier will retain its bases. And whoever tells you that it gives us sovereignty is a liar," al-Sadr said. "I am confident that you brothers in parliament will champion the will of the people over that of the occupier ... Do not betray the people.""

It's important to remember that the current administration negotiated the date for the removal of troops from the country.

Funny how we hear the republicans loudly proclaiming no withdraw dates should be set! It sets us up to lose! Meanwhile the republican administration is setting those dates.

no don't they will declare it a victory too.