BAGHDAD — Iraq’s foreign minister insisted Sunday that any security deal with the United States must contain a “very clear timeline” for the departure of U.S. troops.
Meanwhile, a suicide bomber struck north of Baghdad, killing at least five people, including an American soldier.
Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters that American and Iraqi negotiators were “very close” to reaching a long-term agreement that would set the rules for U.S. troops in Iraq after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.
Zebari said the Iraqis were insisting that the agreement include a “very clear timeline” for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces, but he refused to talk about specific dates.
“We have said that this is a condition-driven process,” he said, suggesting that the departure schedule could be modified if the security situation changed.
But Zebari made clear that the Iraqis would not accept a deal that lacks a timeline for the end of the U.S. military presence.
Differences over a withdrawal timetable have become one of the most contentious issues remaining in the talks, which began early this year. U.S. and Iraqi negotiators missed a July 31 target date for completing the deal, which must be approved by Iraq’s parliament.
President Bush has steadfastly refused to accept any timetable for bringing U.S. troops home. Last month, however, Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed to set a “general time horizon” for a U.S. departure.
Last week, two senior Iraqi officials told The Associated Press that American negotiators had agreed to a formula that would remove U.S. forces from Iraqi cities by next June 30, with all combat troops out of the country by October 2010.
But U.S. officials insist there is no agreement on specific dates. Both the American and Iraqi officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are ongoing. Iraq’s Shiite-led government thinks a withdrawal schedule is essential to win parliamentary approval.
Violence in Iraq has declined sharply over the past year following a U.S. troop buildup, a Sunni revolt against al-Qaeda in Iraq and a Shiite militia cease-fire. But attacks continue, raising concern that the militants are trying to regroup.
Meanwhile, the suicide bomber struck Sunday afternoon as U.S. and Iraqi troops were responding to a roadside bombing that wounded an Iraqi in Tarmiyah, 30 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
Four Iraqi civilians were killed along with the American soldier, said military spokesman Lt. Col. Steve Stover. Two American soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were among 24 people wounded.
