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Iraqis comment on US troop deal Iraqis comment on US troop deal
(about 22 hours later)
Three Iraqis across the country give their reaction to the agreement their government has reached with the US, to bring American troops under Iraqi authority, off the streets by next year and out of the country by 2011. Four Iraqis across the country give their reaction to the agreement their government has reached with the US, to bring American troops under Iraqi authority, off the streets by next year and out of the country by 2011.
HASSAN BERWARI, NGO WORKER, DOHUK, KURDISTANHASSAN BERWARI, NGO WORKER, DOHUK, KURDISTAN
The deal is the best solution for all concerned. It blocks attempts to damage the new Iraqi government and democracy in the region.The deal is the best solution for all concerned. It blocks attempts to damage the new Iraqi government and democracy in the region.
I also welcome having US troops in my country for another three years. They are the only ones who can limit the negative forces in the region, and prevent terrorist groups growing in the Middle East.I also welcome having US troops in my country for another three years. They are the only ones who can limit the negative forces in the region, and prevent terrorist groups growing in the Middle East.
US troops can protect Kurds from Arabs, from Turkey, Iran and Syria. They can also protect Sunni from Shia and vice versa.US troops can protect Kurds from Arabs, from Turkey, Iran and Syria. They can also protect Sunni from Shia and vice versa.
By coming under Iraqi control, the US forces gain more legal status. This change will help the government convince people it is taking responsibility for the country, and not by relying on foreign forces.By coming under Iraqi control, the US forces gain more legal status. This change will help the government convince people it is taking responsibility for the country, and not by relying on foreign forces.
It also gives people a reason to stop accusing the government of being traitors.It also gives people a reason to stop accusing the government of being traitors.
Security is good in the Kurdish region. Did the US troops improve the situation? Yes and No. Yes, because they helped fight the terrorists and no, because they gave the terrorists an excuse to kill people for being involved with them in the first place.Security is good in the Kurdish region. Did the US troops improve the situation? Yes and No. Yes, because they helped fight the terrorists and no, because they gave the terrorists an excuse to kill people for being involved with them in the first place.
They also gave the countries in the region an excuse to interfere in Iraqi affairs.They also gave the countries in the region an excuse to interfere in Iraqi affairs.
Sadly, the Iraqi army is still behaving like it did under Saddam: owing allegiance to political or religious parties.Sadly, the Iraqi army is still behaving like it did under Saddam: owing allegiance to political or religious parties.
MUHAMMED NAJDAT, 27, HOSPITAL DOCTOR, BAGHDADMUHAMMED NAJDAT, 27, HOSPITAL DOCTOR, BAGHDAD
I think this agreement will benefit most people. But we need a gradual withdrawal - not because we love the American army - but because the Iraqi forces cannot yet manage on their own.I think this agreement will benefit most people. But we need a gradual withdrawal - not because we love the American army - but because the Iraqi forces cannot yet manage on their own.
Whatever is said, the Americans are still invadersWhatever is said, the Americans are still invaders
It's good that the US troops will come under Iraqi government control. Before, they were free to attack cities and arrest people with impunity.It's good that the US troops will come under Iraqi government control. Before, they were free to attack cities and arrest people with impunity.
So I'm glad they will be restricted to training Iraqi forces and staying in their bases more.So I'm glad they will be restricted to training Iraqi forces and staying in their bases more.
The plan adopted by General David Petraeus [the US troop 'surge' launched in 2007] made a great improvement, especially here in Baghdad. Bombs, assassinations, bad things, all were reduced.The plan adopted by General David Petraeus [the US troop 'surge' launched in 2007] made a great improvement, especially here in Baghdad. Bombs, assassinations, bad things, all were reduced.
It is much more secure than a year ago - apart from a few accidents during the last month. All of us are worried that the situation might suddenly get worse again. The security is not yet stable.It is much more secure than a year ago - apart from a few accidents during the last month. All of us are worried that the situation might suddenly get worse again. The security is not yet stable.
After the US invasion, we don't trust anyone. Whatever is said, the Americans are still invaders.After the US invasion, we don't trust anyone. Whatever is said, the Americans are still invaders.
The Iraqi forces have improved over the past two years; a lot of the old soldiers have returned to their jobs. But they still cannot protect Iraq from our neighbours.The Iraqi forces have improved over the past two years; a lot of the old soldiers have returned to their jobs. But they still cannot protect Iraq from our neighbours.
Iran is definitely the biggest threat towards Iraq, they want to occupy us.Iran is definitely the biggest threat towards Iraq, they want to occupy us.
'TO', 23, AMARA, SOUTHERN IRAQ'TO', 23, AMARA, SOUTHERN IRAQ
I think the US troops do more harm than good, and they certainly don't do as much good as they say they do.I think the US troops do more harm than good, and they certainly don't do as much good as they say they do.
I used to work as an interpreter for US forces in Baghdad, before my family was threatened and we moved south.I used to work as an interpreter for US forces in Baghdad, before my family was threatened and we moved south.
The soldiers were always talking about when they would leave. I used to say, Iraq has been looking after itself for thousands of years before there even was an America, so it can take care of itself again.The soldiers were always talking about when they would leave. I used to say, Iraq has been looking after itself for thousands of years before there even was an America, so it can take care of itself again.
However, some of the technical, military and humanitarian aid is very useful. Iraq is a bit behind in some areas and there is a lot of poverty, which you don't see on TV.However, some of the technical, military and humanitarian aid is very useful. Iraq is a bit behind in some areas and there is a lot of poverty, which you don't see on TV.
Getting the US troops off the streets will be good for them and us. They're getting hurt needlessly too.Getting the US troops off the streets will be good for them and us. They're getting hurt needlessly too.
The British left the locals to take care of everything and that's the way to go.The British left the locals to take care of everything and that's the way to go.
AKO OMER, 25, DOCTOR, SULEIMANIYAH, KURDISTAN
The deal is an achievement for both sides, it is certainly in the interests of Iraq, its security and sovereignty.
Although the security situation is excellent here in Suleimaniyah, I think the US troops do need to stay for now.
Sectarian violence is still bad in other parts of the country and Iraq's security forces are still not ready to protect our people.
We have American troops in Suleimaniyah. We don't see them very often unless they come to market or other public places.
I think majority of people in northern Iraq would agree with me when I say our threats are from neighbouring Turkey and Iran.