[7月25日] Former Iraqi Prime Minister Testifies Before US Congress

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By Dan Robinson
Washington
24 July 2008
In testimony to a congressional committee, former Iraqi Prime MinisterAyad Allawi says the United States and Iraq are at a critical stage ofdeciding on a measured and responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops fromIraq. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.
Allawiappeared before a House foreign affairs subcommittee that has heldhearings on the future of U.S. - Iraq relations, the latest on apossible extension of the U.N. mandate that expires at the end of 2008.

Sayingboth countries are attempting to construct what he calls a long-termproductive strategic relationship, Allawi said it is appropriate todiscuss a time frame for withdrawing U.S. forces. "As we think aboutmoving to the next stage of our relationship it is appropriate todiscuss a time frame for reduction of U.S. forces. But at the sametime, such reduction must be linked to measure of progress in Iraq andthe conditions prevailing in the country," he said.

Allawi describes security gains from the U.S military surge as fragile and possibly not sustainable.  

Callingbilateral negotiations on status of forces and strategic accordsdeadlocked, he says it is unlikely the two sides will concludeagreements before the end of the year, adding an alternative will haveto be found involving the U.N. mandate:

"Extension of [the] U.N.Security Council resolution under Chapter 7 is an option but may beunacceptable in Iraq. A second options is a U.N. Security Councilresolution, but under Chapter 6. This options and its ramificationsneed to be studied very carefully because we are concerned about theprotection of Iraqi assets from claims by international creditors," hesaid.

Either option, he adds, would provide more time to workout more permanent agreements in a transparent and cooperative manner,but says the two sides are running against time.

Allawi hadthis response to a question from Democrat Russ Carnahan who asked whatit would take to have Iraq's parliament approve agreements: