Excellent work on the part of McClatchy. This story portrays the dialogue, or lack thereof, of the impending continued occupation of Iraq clearly and precisely. The selection of sources and quotes is noteworthy, and it was a good move to get the Obama camp on the record about the bases. Also, until I read this story I was unaware of the complications brought by Chapter VII of the UN charter. It prompted me to read over the chapter, which I've linked below. I leave this article with no major questions unanswered. The key for McClatchy, and other media outlets, will be following up on this underreported topic.

good article,it looks like the true intent of this occupation is becoming obvious to the Iraqi,s

Important well sourced story. Iraqi lawmakers indicate that the US is demanding 58 bases so our troops can occupy their country indefinitely. Also the Iraqis indicate that the US is asking to make the determination about what is a hostile act against Iraq instead of the Iraqis making that determination. The US also wants control of Iraqi air space and for the US soldiers and private military contractors to have immunity from prosecution. The story references the Iraqi lawmakers and has links to a Senate letter from Warner and Levin indicating that Iraq's sovereignty agreements were signed with a condition that we would not establish permanent bases. No mention of the house resolution that passed last year banning permanent U.S. ... More »

A fairly thorough exposition of the story, along with diverse opinion sources. "Negotiations" is perhaps too gentle a word when one party has a DU howitzer pointed at the other's head, and has sealed up their national treasury, the word "demands" is used here by the Iraqis. It sounds like Bush would like to be "democratic" dictator of Iraq; perhaps he should go start campaigning in some local precincts.

Excellent story. Good sources on both sides of the issue. The critical point is that each side in a negotiation has a maximum opening position. This was the underlying theme of the story. The American Ambassador to Iraq got the right note "...nothing is going to be rammed down anybody's throat."

Will we ever learn?

The Administration has consistently insisted that it had no intention of maintaining permanent bases in Iraq. This article confirms that this protestation is a lie, and that the Bush Administration's intent is to maintain a major presence with the intent to protect U.S. access to Middle East oil. The Obama campaign's rejection of this policy provides some semblance of hope that the imperial aims of the far right in America may be replaced by a realistic foreign policy which doesn't continue to feed Islamic radicalism.