Background on the SOFA agreement, which is what Bush wants, and is included AS A BENCHMARK for the Iraqis to sign.

Iraqi politicians have passed a resolution requiring the government to seek parliamentary permission before asking the UN to extend the mandate for US-led forces in Iraq.

So. The Government (whoever that might be, maybe one representative that takes it upon himself?) can't just go to the UN and say "Please Keep US Forces IN Iraq" without having to get permission from parliament!

The measure was approved on Tuesday and reflects a growing disenchantment with the US-backed government.

The Sadrist-drafted resolution passed with a vote of 85 to 59.

Couple of other things from the article. The UN says that US Forces can stay until December 15- so much for a short-lived *surge*, eh?

<>< />

Al-Maliki must be on the take, because he buys into the US occupation vision.

Al-Maliki has said he wants Iraqi forces to take over the country's security, but he has refused to demand a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces.

George Bakus, an aide to al-Mliki, said: "I think the situation is clear ... when the Iraqi troops are ready and can control the country, the government will ask the multinational forces to leave."

But this man want the US to LEAVE

Nassir al-Issawi, a Sadrist politician, said: "This was the first step in implementing our political goal which is the withdrawal of the occupation forces.''

And, what about this guy?

Jalaluddin al-Saghir, a Shia cleric from the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, said the resolution was an additional obstacle for the government.

"The government was at least supposed to be consulted before such a resolution was approved,'' he said. "Those who voted for the resolution had political aims."

Saghir is an aide to Hakim, who, you may recall, was in the US recently and also WANTS the US to sign a SOFA agreement. His trip was apparently PAID FOR by the US Government, but oh, no, THAT's not political, is it?