The Bush administration is trying to impose on the Iraqi parliament a Iraq-U.S. Security Agreement that would facilitate the continuation of American troops in the country in permanent bases and the subjugation of Iraqi to American law in dealing with troops in the country by granting American troops immunity from Iraqi law even if they commit crimes while off-duty.

The fact that the Iraqi parliament is opposing such a deal is a testament to the new strength of Iraqi democracy. Iraqi MP’s are actually afraid of losing re-election if they support a pact that most of their voters oppose. It is also a testament to that fact that the United States never wanted a true democracy in Iraq but a puppet-regime as exhibited in its refusal to appreciate the voice of Iraqi public opinion in their opposition to the pact.

In recent weeks Iraqis have taken to the streets in protests and chants calling for U.S. withdrawal from the nation: “Baghdad is free, is free. America get out of here, of here.” (This rhymes in Arabic.)

But do some Iraqis actually favor a continuing, albeit deadlined, American presence in the nation? Yes, though many will only say so in private. Iraqis want the U.S. out but also understand that it is only American troops not Iraqi Security Forces that can, for the moment, maintain stability and peace, even though the Iraqi Security Forces have been getting better. Nonetheless they want American troops to stay a little longer, but permanently.

What will Iraqis do if their parliament goes ahead and signs the pact? Husham Yussef, a university student, said Iraqis would seek the resignation of parliament: “We will demand a referendum,” he said to force the Iraqi parliament to resign.”