Iraqis offer security deal changes to U.S.

BAGHDAD, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Iraqi officials presented proposed changes to the security pact on U.S troops strength to officials at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Wednesday.

The state newspaper al-Sabah indicated amendments were made to five articles, but provided no other details, reported KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the cabinet members changed the draft of the agreement, calling some of the amendments "fundamental and necessary."

Interior Minister Ali Baban characterized the modifications as "slight," and urged Iraq and the United States to demonstrate flexibility so the pact could be signed.

Dana Perino, White House spokeswoman, has said the United States would have difficulty accommodating changes to the draft, but stressed it was premature to say what action the United States would take without having seen or reviewed the amendments.

The "status of forces" agreement is needed for the continued presence of 154,000 U.S. troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate legitimizing their activities expires Dec. 31. Under a draft, U.S. troops would withdraw from Iraq's main cities by the end of 2009 and from the country by 2011. Iraqis would also gain legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops who commit "serious crimes" while off duty.