Officials say US, Iraq reach draft troop accord

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraqi and US negotiators have completed a draft security agreement that would see American troops leave Iraqi cities as early as June 30, Iraqi and American officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday. In Washington, a senior military official said the deal was acceptable to the US side, subject to formal approval by President George W. Bush. It also requires final acceptance by Iraqi leaders, and some members of Iraq's Cabinet oppose some provisions. Also completed is a companion draft document, known as a strategic framework agreement, spelling out in broad terms the political, security and economic relationships between Iraq and the United States, the senior military official said. The official discussed the draft accords on condition that he not be identified by name because the deals had not been announced and were not final.