It Isn't Over Yet in Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden was in Iraq for 'grip and grin' ceremonies this week to mark the end of US occupation. But busy little war elves (or are they gnomes?) deep in the Washington swamp are working their little hands to the bone trying to find a way to keep some US troops in a nation ripped by factional violence. Instead of US troops these neoimperialists are attempting to negotiate NATO troops to stay behind, ostensibly for training purposes. Regardless of the label one attaches to the military presence, the problem remains one of legal immunity under Iraqi law for foreign military personnel. This is a highly unpopular demand with Iraqi politicians, as well it should be. Civilian deaths at the hands of US forces were enormous during the ten years of operations. Some of those deaths, the exact number will probably never be known, constitute war crimes. The most flagrant examples were the massacre at Hadditha, the massacre at Nisoor Square, and the deaths during interrogation at the infamous prison of Abu Ghraib. According to the US ambassador to NATO, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants military trainers to remain until 2013. There are members of the Iraq Council of Representatives, which must give approval for such immunity, who oppose the concession of sovereignty. In addition, all 28 members of NATO must agree to terms. Time is running out for the western militarists as December 31st is the drop dead date. Peace lovers can hope the game whistle blows first.