Iraqi leaders have said they need US military trainers to stay beyond a year-end deadline for American forces to leave but that the troops should not be granted immunity from prosecution. The late Tuesday evening announcement was significant in that the Iraqi leaders were clear on the need for further help. But it raised questions about the feasibility of ironing out an agreement when the immunity of American troops remains such a contentious issue. “The head of the political blocs met today ... to discuss the training of Iraqi forces with the help of the American side,” said Deputy Prime Minister Roz Nouri Shawez in a statement after the meeting held at the home of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. “The leaders agreed on the need to train the Iraqi forces and to complete equipping the force as soon as possible,” he said, flanked by some of the main Iraqi political leaders. But Shawez said the blocs did not want to give troops immunity, as has been demanded by the US. “The heads of blocs agreed on the necessity of not granting the immunity,” he said, adding that the training should occur only on Iraqi bases. Immunity from prosecution is a key issue for the Pentagon, which would not risk American forces ending up in an Iraqi court. Last August, the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, said the US would only consider an immunity deal if it were passed by the Iraqi parliament. But for Iraqis who are trying to regain their sovereignty, the immunity issue is equally contentious. The political coalition loyal to anti-American leader Muqtada Al-Sadr objected to any American presence.
