U.S. troops under Iraq's authority for first time

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Yahoo / Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The U.S. military in Iraq falls under Iraqi authority on Thursday for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003, a milestone in the war-weary country's path to restoring sovereignty.

The U.S. force in Iraq, now more than 140,000 strong, has operated since 2003 under a U.N. Security Council resolution which expired at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Starting January 1, troops will operate under the authority of the Iraqi government, according to a pact signed earlier this year by Washington and Baghdad.

The pact gives U.S. troops three years to leave Iraq, revokes their power to detain Iraqis without an Iraqi warrant, and subjects contractors and, in some cases, U.S. troops to Iraqi law.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081231/ts_nm/us_iraq_handover_1

[jwirr]

1. If I remember correctly at the beginning of this war *ss went to the UN

for help but backed out when they said they would only help if US troops were placed under UN authority. NOW he puts the troops under Iraqi authority.

[texanshatingbush]

2. Precisely my first thought!!! n/t

[gratuitous]

5. I recall that as well

Oh, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth in Freeperland. Oh, it would be the end of the U.S. to have our star-spangled, freckle-faced fightin' men and women subject to the commands of a foreign commander. What if the commander ordered them to attack the U.S.? They'd have to obey! We'd have to fight our own military! Wolverines!

And now? Chimpy has placed our military under the direct command of one of the members of the Axis of Evil. Will this heinous abuse of power go unnoticed? At least until January 21? At which time, of course, it will be all Obama's fault.

[xchrom]

3. ah yes -- freepers -- i can hear your little heads exploding from here. nt

[rocktivity]

4. Not for long

I don't see our new commander in chief allowing himself to be ruled from beyond the grave like that.

:headbang:
rocknation