Ok, this is cool. I am glad that David Isenberg is trying to add some clarity to this thing. He kind of echoes a few of the points that have been covered here on FJ. I am just glad that this story is getting the attention it needs, so that guys know what to expect and how to deal with it. –Head Jundi
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Dogs of War: Losing sleep over SOFA
Private military contractors fret over Iraqi-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement
By DAVID ISENBERG
Published: Oct. 31, 2008 at 7:43 PM
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) — If, as now seems possible, Iraq and the United States cannot finalize a Status of Forces Agreement governing U.S. troops there, private military contractors will be sighing in relief.
The agreement, known as SOFA, is basically a document signed by a country and a foreign nation stationing military forces there. The SOFA is intended to clarify the terms under which the foreign military is allowed to operate. Typically, purely military issues such as the locations of bases and access
to facilities are covered by separate agreements. The SOFA is more concerned with the legal issues associated with military individuals and property.
At the end of the Cold War, the United States had permanent status of forces agreements with approximately 40 countries. Today the number has grown to more than 90, meaning the United States has agreements with 46 percent of the more than 190 nation-states comprising the world community.
The Iraq SOFA covers everything from prosecuting violations of law to establishing operational command and a deadline for withdrawal. The United States wanted it to be completed before Dec. 31, when the United Nations mandate, Security Council Resolution 1790, covering the presence of foreign troops in Iraq expires.
Without a signed SOFA, U.S. troops will lack legal authority to remain in Iraq. U.S. officials say they would have to cease operations and confine troops to bases unless some other arrangement, such as an extension of the U.N. mandate, could be worked out.
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