Troop Withdrawl Pact With Iraq: What's The Downside?

Whereas this article here at Breitbart doesn't specifically address the downside of the pact that has been agreed upon between the U.S. and Iraq concerning U.S. troops total withdrawl from Iraq by 2011, it certainly contains some hints as to what I do see as a downside. Let's look at what Gen. Ray Odierno is telling the U.S. troops about the changes under the new pact:

A security pact that sets a timetable for troops to leave Iraq requires a shift in how the U.S. carries out combat missions during its remaining time in the country, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Friday.
Gen. Ray Odierno said in a written statement to troops that they would be receiving new rules of engagement but that there would be no change to their ability to protect themselves and the multinational force.
The security pact, "though, will require a subtle shift in how we plan, coordinate and execute combat missions throughout Iraq," Odierno said, adding that under the new terms of agreement, U.S. troops will coordinate and execute all operations with the approval of the Iraqi government and implement them through the Iraqi security forces.

Under the agreement, Iraq will gain strict oversight over the nearly 150,000 American troops now on the ground, representing a step toward full sovereignty for Iraq and a shift from the sense of frustration and humiliation that many Iraqis feel at the presence of American troops on their soil for so many years.

"But we must do so with respect for the Iraqi Constitution and laws, and we must continue to treat all Iraqi citizens with the utmost dignity and honor," he wrote.

As you can see, there's a lot of reading between the lines that we have to do here - my guess is that Gen. Odierno wasn't smiling when he wrote this memo to the troops. Here's what I see as a very real downfall to this agreement:

1. Iraq having "oversight" over the American troops - oversight, in my view means control to some extent and I do wonder if there are going to be instances where the Iraqis will want to change or cancel operations. What's the old saying? Too many chefs spoil the broth?

2. When Odierno talks about respect for the Iraqi Constitution and laws, I think this is going to get hairy. Let's face it, if you are al Qaeda in Iraq...you are going to see this as an opportunity to renew attacks from mosques. I think there are some in the Iraqi government that have been waiting a long time to be able to tell American troops what to do.

3. The withdrawl from Iraqi cities. Again, if I am al Qaeda in Iraq, once the U.S. troops have to withdraw from the cities, I am going to increase attacks INSIDE the cities and I guarantee you what will happen - initially, the Iraqi Army and security forces are not going to be able to handle it all. There will be a call to U.S. troops to come in to the cities to help and that is when al Qaeda in Iraq will target American troops - as they come BACK into the cities. Let's face it, if American troops have to move back into the cities to assist, this will be the OPPOSITE of the Surge and in my view, is risky.

4. Unfortunatey, I see more claims by disgruntled Iraqis of "abuse" by American troops when the Iraqis have the control - I think those that have viewed the Americans as "occupiers" will take the opportunity to leverage their government officials' newfound power to strike out at the American troops.

Okay, perhaps I'm being too pessimistic but I refuse to not look at all possibilities. Now, I have to reiterate that I have been in favor of the pact overall, of the plan, because it certainly is far better than the plans of B. Hussein Obama and the surrenderist Democrats. I just am a bit nervous that our troops may struggle under the new rules of engagement and for me, as always, it's ALL about our troops.

US cmdr spells out Iraq mission under new pact

BAGHDAD (AP) - A security pact that sets a timetable for troops to leave Iraq requires a shift in how the U.S. carries out combat missions during its remaining time in the country, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Friday.
Gen. Ray Odierno said in a written statement to troops that they would be receiving new rules of engagement but that there would be no change to their ability to protect themselves and the multinational force.
The security pact, "though, will require a subtle shift in how we plan, coordinate and execute combat missions throughout Iraq," Odierno said, adding that under the new terms of agreement, U.S. troops will coordinate and execute all operations with the approval of the Iraqi government and implement them through the Iraqi security forces.
Odierno released the statement a day after Iraq's three-member presidential council signed off on the pact, removing the last legal barrier so that the agreement can take effect Jan. 1.
The security pact requires U.S. troops leave Iraq by January 1, 2012. It also requires American soldiers withdraw from Iraqi cities by the end of June 2009.
Under the agreement, Iraq will gain strict oversight over the nearly 150,000 American troops now on the ground, representing a step toward full sovereignty for Iraq and a shift from the sense of frustration and humiliation that many Iraqis feel at the presence of American troops on their soil for so many years.
The security agreement replaces a U.N. mandate that gave the U.S.-led coalition sweeping powers to conduct military operations. The pact is still subject to approval by Iraqi voters in a referendum by the end of July.
Odierno also said U.S. troop would continue to conduct operations in Iraq against al-Qaida and other extremist groups.
"But we must do so with respect for the Iraqi Constitution and laws, and we must continue to treat all Iraqi citizens with the utmost dignity and honor," he wrote.
Odierno said the U.S. will phase in the shift in responsibilities of the military to preserve security gains.
American troops, though, continue to be a target of insurgents. In an attack Thursday, two American soldiers were killed when a suicide driver detonated an explosive-laden car near an Iraqi checkpoint in the northern city of Mosul, military spokesman Lt. Col. Dave Doherty said.
Iraqi police said eight people were wounded, most of them civilians