Iraq Press Roundup

In its editorial with the title "The improvement in the security situation is no more a priority for U.S. troop withdrawal," the Iraqi Hezbollah's Al Bayyna Newspaper said Thursday the United States promotes its position in Iraq by advertising security improvements and thus calling for a "need" for a permanent military presence.

The editorial said the U.S. administration intends to use military bases in Iraq as missile shields to confront organizations that threaten to turn the United States into a battle field. It said another use for the permanent bases is the U.S. fear of Iran's influence on Iraq and other countries in the region.

"Dick Cheney, who considered the invasion of Iraq in 2003 as a successful mission, commented during his visit to Iraq and in a meeting with Iraqi officials, that the last five years have been difficult yet successful and deserve sacrifices," it said.

Al Bayyna newspaper said Cheney's highlighting of the "improvement" in the security situation doesn't mean there is a need for a U.S. troop withdrawal, and that U.S.-allied countries, especially those concerned about Iran's influence, should reopen their embassies in Iraq in order to eliminate such an influence.

It added that during Cheney's visit, which was amid a rise in violence, he urged the Iraqi government to continue making "progress" by passing the oil and gas law, the federations and the local elections law planned for October.

The paper also said that escalation of violence is not a sufficient reason for keeping a U.S. permanent presence in Iraq as attacks have decreased at least 60 percent since the middle of last year. It added that Cheney insisted on the need to sign long-term "security agreements" between Baghdad and Washington before the end of the current year.

The real reason behind Cheney's insistence on agreements is the fact the end of President Bush's term and the U.N. resolution deadline to end the occupation will both take place at the end of this year.

"The Republicans are concerned about losing the elections due to the war in Iraq taking into consideration that around 4,000 U.S. soldiers were killed and that around $400 billion was spent as a cost of the war," it added.

The paper added that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., revealed the current U.S. administration's insistence that sending extra troops to Iraq to carry out the "surge" saved Iraq from a civil war between Shiites and Sunnis.

"The U.S. administration is indifferent to the fact that the Mahdi Army cease-fire and Sunni elements' recruitment to fight al-Qaida had an effect on the decrease of violence," it said.

The Basra-based Al Bayyna newspaper concluded that during his visit, McCain showed his "experience" in foreign policy and military affairs while Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are in competition to gain the Democrats' nomination for the next U.S. presidency.