Iraq may be gambling on its security forces
Iraq and the war on terrorismTroops will be tested

By The Associated Press

Published: November 18, 2008

BAGHDAD — The U.S.-Iraqi security pact now before parliament calls for U.S. forces to leave Iraq’s cities by June 30 in recognition of an improved security climate, but the deadline poses a test for Iraqi forces in places like Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul where attacks still occur daily.

It is a gamble that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, emboldened by recent military successes, is willing to take — partly because of growing confidence in the capabilities of Iraqi forces.

U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker described the security gains as "superlative” at a Monday signing ceremony of the agreement with Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

Vote set next week

The pact, overwhelmingly approved by the Cabinet, was read to lawmakers in the first stage of parliament’s procedure for approving the bill.

A vote on the pact, which allows U.S. forces to remain in Iraq through 2011, is scheduled for Nov. 24. If approved, it goes before President Jalal Talabani and his deputies.

U.S. and Iraqi officials acknowledge that the capabilities of Iraqi security forces have been improving, but doubts persist on whether they have in place a reliable logistical support network, enough discipline and the willingness to operate above the sectarian bias that defines political life in Iraq.

Their test will be all the more difficult because recent security gains are thought to be fragile and continued attacks by insurgent groups in Baghdad, Mosul and in much of central and northern Iraq could undermine those hard-won gains.