THE TENSION: US Statement: Iraq’s Parliament Passes Troop Withdrawal Agreement

News in Balance:

BAGHDAD, Nov. 27, 2008 -- The following is the text of a joint statement by Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker and General Ray Odierno on the passage by Iraq's Council of Representatives of the Strategic Framework Agreement and the Security Agreement:

The United States welcomes today’s approval by Iraq’s Council of Representatives of the Strategic Framework Agreement and the Security Agreement. We look forward to the ratification of this vote by Iraq’s Presidency Council.

Taken together, these two agreements formalize a strong and equal partnership between the United States and Iraq. They provide the means to secure the significant security gains we have achieved together and to deter future aggression. They establish a framework for cooperation in the fields of defense, political relations, economics, trade, culture, education, the rule of law, health, the environment and science and technology.

We congratulate the Government of Iraq and its elected representatives for making these agreements possible.