Iraqi Shiites want changes in U.S. role

BAGHDAD, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A political move is afoot among Iraqi Shiites to gain more independence from the U.S. military, The New York Times reported from Baghdad Thursday.

A 19-member committee of Iraq's political leaders, its prime minister and its president is working on a package to amend a U.N. agreement that gives the United States and 27 other countries "the authority to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq."

The agreement expires Dec. 31, and a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad confirmed officials were in talks with the Iraqi government on the subject but would not elaborate, the Times said.

Hadi al-Ameri, leader of the parliamentary Defense and Security Committee, told the Times the U.S. presence is still necessary but "Iraqi leaders are handcuffed" by the current U.N. agreement.

"We will not tell the Americans to go but if they stay it should be according to conditions," Ameri said in the newspaper's report.