Window closing 'rapidly' on Iraq security pact talks

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States warned Thursday that the window on difficult negotiations for a US-Iraq security pact is “rapidly coming to a close” as it reviewed proposed Iraqi changes to the deal.

“I really don’t want to comment until we’ve had a chance to really review them,” State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood told reporters when asked about the proposed amendments. “But, you know, as we said, we think we have a good agreement. And the window for any kind of discussions, negotiations is ... rapidly coming to a close,” Wood added.

“So I’ll just leave it at that. Once we have something to say on it, we will,” he said. “But for the moment, we’re just taking our time in reviewing it to make sure that ... we’ve got a good sense of what it is the Iraqis have put forward.” President George W Bush on Wednesday promised to consider Baghdad’s proposed changes but warned against shifts that risked “undermining” the accord.

“We received amendments today (Wednesday) from the government. We’re analyzing those amendments. We obviously want to be helpful and constructive without undermining basic principles,” Bush told reporters.