Talibani: US Sought Troop Presence To 2015

By Cernig

Reuters quotes Iraqi president Talibani as saying the Bush administration had asked for a US troop presence to 2015 but didn't get it.

The United States asked Iraq for permission to maintain a troop presence there to 2015, but U.S. and Iraqi negotiators agreed to limit their authorisation to 2011, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said.

"It was a U.S. proposal for the date which is 2015, and an Iraqi one which is 2010, then we agreed to make it 2011. Iraq has the right, if necessary, to extend the presence of these troops," Talabani said in an interview with al-Hurra television, a transcript of which was posted on his party's website on Wednesday.

The White House's official line is still that no deal has been concluded, but between Maliki and Talibani that's an awful lot of detailed definite statement for a deal still in negotiation. Talibani's statement also clears up one question on the 2011 timetable - yes, it envisions all US troops out by then, not just combat troops. Pass the "judgement" prize to Barrack Obama.

Oh, and I guess this proves Talibani is still alive and well. I wrongly thought Michael Rubin might actually have accurate insider information this time. Mea maxima culpa.