Iraq: U.S. considering SOFA amendments

BAGHDAD, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The United States is developing a response to Iraq's changes in the proposed Status of Forces Agreement and will deliver it soon, an Iraqi official says.

Sami Askari, an adviser to Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, told CNN Tuesday Washington has signaled it is seriously considering Iraq's proposed amendments to the agreement, but al-Maliki has yet to receive an official response.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Monday the Bush administration will make its official response in the coming days, telling reporters, "We are working towards responding to the Iraqis. Our negotiating team led by Ambassador (to Iraq Ryan) Crocker is finalizing that and we expect to be talking with the Iraqis over the next week."

The agreement is meant to replace a United Nations mandate governing the legality of U.S.-led coalition troops in the country, which expires Dec. 31. A draft of the agreement reportedly sets a goal of 2011 for all occupying U.S. troops to be out of the country, CNN said.

Some observers contend President George Bush is waiting until after Tuesday's U.S. presidential elections in order to include the president-elect in the negotiations.