Iraqis to Talk About Asking Some U.S. Troops to Stay

JACK HEALY and YASIR GHAZI The New York Times 05/11/2011 18:36

In 2009, the United States Army packed up a base in Iraq, above, as part of its withdrawal plan, which is to be completed this year.

BAGHDAD — As American troops break down their bases and prepare to head home, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki said Wednesday that he would meet with Iraqi leaders to discuss whether the United States military should remain after the end of the year.

If a solid majority of Iraqi lawmakers and political leaders back a continuing American presence, Mr. Maliki said he could support asking the United States to keep some of its remaining 45,000 troops in Iraq past the withdrawal deadline of this December.

“This decision would be binding on everyone,” Mr. Maliki said at a news conference.

Mr. Maliki refused to say whether he wanted American forces to remain in Iraq, saying that reporters and “superpower nations have been unable to take my personal opinion regarding this matter.”

But he signaled that he was leaving the door open for just such a possibility. His comments were a continuation of a shift from several months ago, when he said that Iraq was able to defend itself and that there was no need for any American soldiers to stay beyond the deadline.

Mr. Maliki said he would sit down with rival leaders by the end of the month and make a decision on whether to seek a troop extension before August.

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