'Some progress' in U.S.-Iraqi talks

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The White House said Thursday the United States and Iraq have made "some progress" on a new security agreement but nothing is final.

An administration spokesman refused to comment on some reports saying a draft agreement includes the withdrawal of U.S. forces, at least from Iraqi cities, by June 30, 2009.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Baghdad talking to Iraqi officials about a new pact allowing U.S. troops to operate in the country. The New York Times said Thursday the two sides had agreed on a draft but not a final text.

Speaking in Crawford, Texas, site of the summer White House, spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, "We have made some progress in the recent days on an agreement with the Iraqis but there is no final agreement yet. We will continue to have these discussions with the Iraqis."

Any final pact would have to be approved by the Iraqi parliament.

Johndroe said the "potential" for some U.S. troops to return home was made possible by the success of the U.S. troop surge.

He added that any final pact wouldn't require U.S. congressional approval.