Iraqi Legal

The Iraqi cabinet finally passed a pact regarding U.S. troops deployed there. The agreement provides a continued legal means for U.S. forces to operate in Iraq after the U.N. resolution expires at the the end of 2008 and includes the following terms:

* calls for troops to be out of all cities and towns by June 30, 2009;

* calls for all troops to be out of the country all together by Dec. 31, 2011;

* U.S. soldiers will be granted continued legal immunity except in cases of serious felonies committed while off duty and off the base; and

* American soldiers will have to get court-issued warrants to make arrests, and they will have to hand over suspects to Iraqi authorities.

The Brits are waiting for the U.S. pact to go through before negotiating their own pact with the Iraqis. But the Iraqi parliament will get the U.S. agreement and will have to pass it before going on their Thanksgiving break. Gee, thanks.