Talabani: US presence in Iraq beyond 2011 is a necessity

[Vixen]

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani criticized US-Iraqi negotiations and the results thereof such as not granting US soldiers and trainers immunity to stay in Iraq.

Iraq needs an American presence after 2011, Talabani said in a TV interview arguing that Iraqi security forces are still facing difficulties in air and marine defense as well as in the use of new weapons. Reports of Air, marine, Armored and Infantry Forces’ commanders reveal that Iraq needs an efficient US presence in Iraq or at least American trainers’ presence, Talabani said.

Iraqi forces admitted they cannot protect Iraq’s airspace and waters or use new arms, he added. Political positions were behind the decision not to grant Americans the immunity they demanded to stay in Iraq, Talabani indicated. Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki will try, during his visit to Washington, to find a solution for trainers’ issue, Talabani announced noting that Iraq might agree with some European countries upon training Iraqis to use the purchased American weapons.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1- ... ssity.html