Rice arrives in Iraq to iron out security deal

BAGHDAD – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew into Iraq’s capital today on an unannounced visit to try to iron out difficult final issues of a long-awaited security deal that will govern the role of U.S. forces here.

With expectations rising, Rice said reports of an imminent deal were “very premature.” But she insisted that negotiators have made progress on all issues after five months of talks and are now filling holes in a draft agreement.

“There is still work to do, but we’re making progress,” she told reporters on her plane. She said it was fair to say that negotiators for the two sides have agreed on a preliminary plan.

Senior officials often take part in such situations when their subordinates have been able to make progress. Rice dismissed reports that she has had harsh words with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and said her goal in this visit was to meet with Maliki to “identify whether there are any obstacles” to completion of the deal.

The final issues remain difficult, including the question of a specific date for U.S. troop withdrawals and whether U.S. forces will have immunity from Iraqi prosecution. The two sides have been close to a deal before only to see it collapse.

U.S. officials continue to publicly insist that they want further U.S. troop withdrawal to be contingent upon conditions on the ground in Iraq. The agreement will govern the status of U.S. forces once a United Nations mandate making them responsible for Iraq’s security expires in December.

Rice noted that whatever deal is reached it will have to be approved by the Iraqi parliament. “This agreement will be ready when it’s ready,” she said.

The sides had aimed to meet a deal by the end of July. However, the negotiations bogged down amid political posturing from the Iraqi side and a tough opening stance by the Americans. U.S. negotiators had demanded to keep at least 50 military bases and to have immunity from Iraqi courts for all troops and private contractors.

Some in Maliki’s camp, emboldened by military successes this spring, believed they could make do without American forces if push came to shove, according to Western and Iraqi officials familiar with the talks.

Neighboring Iran, which exerts tremendous influence with Iraq, has also made clear it opposes an agreement.

In late July, advances were made after the White House announced it accepted the idea of time horizons for the reduction of American troops. The U.S. team has argued for a calendar of 2012 or 2013 for the withdrawal of all combat brigades, while the Iraqis contend all US combat troops should be out of the country by the end of 2010, according to Iraqi and American officials familiar with the talks.

The troop pull-outs are based on the principle that security continues to improve. A compromise date of 2011 for the reduction has been bandied about by the Americans and Iraqis, the U.S. officials said.

However, U.S. military advisors, air support and special forces would probably be required by Iraq, even after combat brigades leave, according to one U.S. official in Baghdad.

Times staff writers Tina Susman and Ned Parker contributed to this report.