US forces of Blackmail

THI QAR / IraqiNews.com: Thi Qar‘s provincial council accused the U.S. army today of “blackmailing” its members following the arrest of a military officer adjacent to the residence of the legal commission chairman.   The chairman of the commission reported that the U.S. forces entered his home garden and searched the guards’ caravans without telling their reasons before they head for another unknown place.   “I informed the council, which I regard as blackmail. We will submit a protest to the central government because this action violates the security agreement between Iraq and America.”   On the other side, the chairman of the Security Commission at the provincial council said that the U.S. forces raided the house of an officer working in Basra airport and arrested him.   The U.S. forces refrained from commenting on this event.   Thi Qar‘s Council voted against the entry of U.S. forces to the cities of the province.   The security agreement signed between Iraq and America, in November 2008, stipulated that the combat forces should withdraw from cities an villages in 30 June, 2009, but the complete withdrawal shall be made at the end of this year.   U.S. forces are stationed in Talil base, which is one of the most important bases in southern Iraq, containing 4000 soldiers.   This base is used to administer U.S. operations in Basra, Muthanna, Missan, and Thi Qar provinces.   Now, Iraqi air force unit is stationed in the base, whose duties to observe the borders and protection of oil pipelines and electrical towers, as well as logistic support in religious occasions.   Nassiriya, the center of Thi Qar province, lies 380 km south of the capital, Baghdad. RM (TI)/SR 1246