Iraq urges U.S. to OK security deal

BAGHDAD, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is urging U.S. President George Bush to accept the Iraqi amendments to an accord on future U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

Talabani said U.S. approval of the amendments to the "status of forces" agreement was needed so Iraqi lawmakers could "present it to the people with their heads high," the Kuwaiti news service KUNA reported.

Government officials said Talabani told U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker that he supports Iraq's modifications to the plan.

A draft U.S.-Iraq security accord was reached in October, but Iraqi officials presented several amendments to the document. U.S. officials later responded to the Iraqi amendments.

The draft calls for U.S. forces to leave Iraqi cities by June 30 and combat troops to be gone by the end of 2011, unless the Iraqi government asks them to stay. Issues of concern include the schedule for troop withdrawal, provisions for Iraqi legal jurisdiction over U.S. personnel and control over military operations.

The long-term agreement, which must be approved by the Iraqi Parliament, is necessary because a U.N. mandate covering U.S. forces in Iraq expires at the end of 2008.