http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/iraq/?id=17583

2006-09-25
Talabani asks for long-term US military presence in Iraq
Iraqi President says his country will need two permanent US air bases to deter foreign interference.
By Maxim Kniazkov - WASHINGTON
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Iraqi President Jalal Talabani asked for a long-term US military presence in Iraq, in an interview published Monday, saying his country will need two permanent US air bases to deter "foreign interference".

He did not elaborate on the nature of the threat, but his remarks contained an indication he had in mind neighboring Iran.


"I think we will be in need of American forces for a long time - even two military bases to prevent foreign interference," Talabani told The Washington Post. "I don't ask to have 100,000 American soldiers - 10,000 soldiers and two air bases would be enough."


The president, a Kurd, made clear the bases would be most welcome in Kurdistan, an autonomous region in northern Iraq that has practiced de facto self-government since the 1991 Gulf War.


But he suggested that the Sunni Arab segment of the Iraqi population would also be receptive of the idea.


"In some places Sunnis want the Americans to stay," he argued. "Sunnis think the main danger is coming from Iran now."


The comments come as top US military commanders admitted the United States will not be able to reduce its 147,000-strong contingent in Iraq in the coming months because of spreading sectarian violence and the possibility of the country slipping into civil war.


US Central Command head General John Abizaid told reporters last week any previous plans to draw down US troops in Iraq had been put off until at least next spring, and the force level might even go up.


Echoing his concern, US Senator John McCain, a powerful member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, suggested Sunday sending an additional 20,000 to 30,000 US troops to Iraq due to spreading violence.


Several congressional leaders have in the past raised the possibility of the United States acquiring long-term basing rights in Iraq, but so far the administration of President George W. Bush has not announced any concrete steps in this direction.


Talabani met with Bush last week.


The Iraqi leader predicted that by the end of this year the number of provinces under the control of fledgling Iraqi security forces will grow to 12. But he acknowledged that his government will still need a sizable contingent of American and coalition forces in the rest of the country until at least the end of 2008.


"I think within two years we will be able to train our army and have the capacity to face terrorism," Talabani said.


However, he insisted that the presence of US forces beyond that point, "even a symbolic one, will frighten those who are trying to interfere in our affairs."


Talabani made a concerted effort to avoid direct criticism of Iran, which is closely tied to key Shiite militias operating in the country.


Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who traveled to Tehran last week, has received firm Iranian assurances that "any kind of interference" in the internal affairs of Iraq will not be permitted, he said.


But Abizaid disclosed last week that a new armor-busting rocket-propelled grenade believed to be of Iranian origin has shown up in Iraq in what may be "a hint about things to come".


The US general said the weapon, an RPG-29, has a dual warhead and has proved effective against most types of armored vehicles.


"The first time we saw it was not in Iraq. We saw it in Lebanon. So to me it indicates, number one, an Iranian connection," Abizaid pointed out.


In an interview with the same paper published Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad assured of his country's commitment to Iraq's internal security, but spoke strongly against any foreign military presence there.


"The Iraqi nation has deep roots, an ancient, civilized culture," Ahmadinejad said. "It cannot accept to remain under occupation."