Officials to delay deal concerning status of U.S. military forces in Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

Officials to delay deal concerning status of U.S. military forces in Iraq
By Lee Keath, Associated Press, 2/23/2004 16:00



BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) U.S. and Iraqi officials will delay finalizing an agreement on the post-occupation role of American troops until after power has been formally handed to the next Iraqi government June 30, members of the current Iraqi leadership said Monday.

The legal basis for U.S. troops operating in any foreign country normally is spelled out in a legal arrangement called a status of forces agreement, which defines legal protections for U.S. troops. Without it, U.S. troops in Iraq would be subject to local Iraqi law, once Iraq's sovereignty is restored.
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But the troop plan has become the latest in a series of deals to be disrupted in the dispute over how to choose the next Iraqi government.

The lack of agreement will not affect the presence of U.S. forces, but it could leave their relationship with Iraqi security forces undefined along with rules of engagement. There also could be a question of who would prosecute U.S. soldiers charged with crimes while serving in the country.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/054/world/Officials_to_delay_deal_concer:.shtml