Amb. Helmen on US Iraq SOFA prospects.
Gerald B. Helman (United States Ambassador to the European Office of the United Nations from 1979 through 1981) has written a commertary on the prospects for the US-Iraq SOFA, as well as what the next administration might do with Iraq.
His comment is based neither on the still-classified official draft nor the rogue version mentioned above.
Quote:
Helman: US has all but Committed to Leaving Iraq
Ambassador Gerald B. Helman writes:
Absent the unexpected, it is unlikely that a security agreement in the form of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Iraq and the US will be in place before our Presidential elections and almost as unlikely before the end of the year when the present UN Security Council mandate runs out. ...
http://merryabla64.wordpress.com/200...an-coles-blog/
100 amendments - the saga continues
The wisdom of waiting for release of an official final version of the Iraq SOFA, before commenting, is reinforced by this WSJ article.
Quote:
NOVEMBER 7, 2008
U.S. Approves Most Iraqi Revisions to Security Pact
By GINA CHON
BAGHDAD -- The U.S. notified Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki it has accepted many of the changes proposed last week by the Iraqi cabinet in a draft security agreement between the two countries.
Because of the largely positive response from the U.S. on Thursday, Iraqi officials say they are warming to a resolution. But the two sides have appeared close to a deal before, only to face further setbacks.
Iraq's cabinet plans to meet Sunday to discuss the pact, which is needed to replace a United Nations mandate that expires at the end of this year. If Iraqi ministers approve the deal, parliament could take it up next week.
....
The Iraqi side had requested more than 100 changes, most of them minor and cosmetic in nature. ....
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1225...ics_And_Policy
What seems "minor and cosmetic" to one person, may not be so "minor and cosmetic" when it comes time to apply the agreement to actual cases.
Anyway, this one still has ways to go (or better, perhaps - more haggling over the rug you want to buy or sell), before its substance can be addressed.
Iraq SOFA full as-signed text
The Iraq SOFA was signed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker on Monday. The full text published by the NY Times is here.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/package...GREED_TEXT.pdf
Substantive comments will follow ratification by Iraq's parliament & its troika presidency (if that happens). See also adjacent thread "US Troops Leaving" for news articles on that process.
MPS mail provision - SOFA
This may clear up the question.
Quote:
Article 19
Support Activities Services
.....
5. The mail sent through the military post service shall be certified by United States Forces authorities and shall be exempt from inspection, search, and seizure by Iraqi authorities, except for non-official mail that may be subject to electronic observation. Questions arising in the course of implementation of this paragraph shall be addressed by the concerned Joint Sub-Committee and resolved by mutual agreement. The concerned Joint Sub-Committee shall periodically inspect the mechanisms by which the United States Forces authorities certify military mail.
There are sweeping provisions covering "import-export" packages sent outside of the MPS - some applicable to personal items.
Quote:
Article 15
Import and Export
....
2. Members of the United States Forces and of the civilian component may import into Iraq, re-export, and use personal effect materials and equipment for consumption or personal use. The import into, re-export from, transfer from, and use of such imported items in Iraq shall not be subjected to licenses, other restrictions, taxes, custom duties, or any other charges imposed in Iraq, as defined in Article 2, paragraph 10. The imported quantities shall be reasonable and proportionate to personal use. United States Forces authorities will take measures to ensure that no items or material of cultural or historic significance to Iraq are being exported.
3. Any inspections of materials pursuant to paragraph 2 by Iraqi authorities must be done urgently in an agreed upon place and according to procedures established by the Joint Committee.
So, the precise scope of inspections is left to future regulations to be agreed.
Having been a few other places where there were SOFA
in force, that seems pretty typical to me. There was one country where we had agreed to the individual service member paying all local customs and excise taxes. Ordering parts not obtainable locally for a car could cost one about four times the cost and shipping fees for the part in taxes. In another, transferring many items to a local national would get you local jail time -- and the jails were not nice...
