On Nov. 26, U.S. president George W. Bush and Iraqi puppet prime minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a declaration that paves the way for long-term U.S. occupation of Iraq. The “Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship” outlines plans for the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
The full details of the pact—including the size of the U.S. occupying force—are to be worked out by July 31, 2008, and
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Because the declaration was signed without any significant parliamentary debate, both Sunni Arab and Shiite politicians immediately denounced it, saying the agreement would lead to “U.S. interference for years to come.” The Association of Muslim Scholars said the Iraqi signatories of the declaration would be looked on as “collaborators with the occupier.”
The agreement was greeted with near-silence from leaders of the Democratic Party. In fact, the plan is nearly identical to those put forward by Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, who both propose reducing U.S. forces and redeploying them to “over-the-horizon” positions where the occupation would be less conspicuous and U.S. casualties would be reduced.
Meanwhile, opposition to the puppet regime would be quickly and brutally suppressed and U.S. power could be further projected throughout the region, especially against such countries as Iran and Syria.
Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that under the proposed formula Iraqi forces will take charge of internal security, and U.S. troops will relocate to bases outside the cities. They foresee at least 50,000 American troops remaining in the country indefinitely.
The White House says the bilateral agreement will not contain timetables for the withdrawal of troops. Thus, the U.S. government plans for the occupation of Iraq to continue for years, if not decades to come.
Debka-Net-Weekly, a web site associated with Israeli military intelligence, posted further details of the agreement. The site claims that by the end of 2009, the United States government intends to maintain 50-70,000 soldiers on 20 massive land and air bases.
“These bases,” the site wrote, “are under construction; they will be secured by broad swathes of space, fortified with weaponry and remote-controlled electronic devices.” The primary function of these bases will be to suppress internal opposition to the U.S.-installed puppet Iraqi regime. But the report also notes that: “U.S. air strength and special forces in these bases will have rapid deployment capabilities for reaching points outside Iraq at need.”
Meanwhile, United States government and puppet Iraqi officials have taken pains to pain the new agreement as a “normalization” of U.S.-Iraqi relations and a restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. The White House said the declaration was the first move in a three-step process that would alter U.S.-Iraqi relations “in a way which is consistent with Iraq’s sovereignty and will help Iraq regain its rightful status in the international community.”
Other steps include extending the current U.N. mandate for another year and lifting remaining sanctions. None of this is progress for Iraq or ordinary Iraqis, despite with the capitalist press says in its headlines.
The unprovoked and criminal war against Iraq, now extending for more than 15 years, has been an abject human catastrophe. Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, the situation has been much worse. Iraqi society has been reduced to chaos and ruin while millions have perished.
Time and again, U.S. imperialism betrays its own voracious and predatory nature. The new agreement is further evidence of the true character of U.S. ambitions in Iraq—permanent conquest and plunder of the country and its resources, regardless of the will of the Iraqi people themselves.
The steadfast resistance of the Iraqi people and an acceleration of anti-war activism in the United States and across the globe is the only way to defeat U.S. imperialism’s sinister plans.
