Deal close for combat G.I.s' Iraq exit

Deal close for combat G.I.s' Iraq exit
The Associated Press
Friday, August 8th 2008, 2:37 AM
BAGHDAD - Iraq and the U.S. are nearing a deal in which American combat troops would begin leaving Iraq by October 2010 and be out completely three years after that, two senior Iraqi officials said Thursday.
U.S. officials insisted no dates have been agreed on.
The proposed deal calls for Americans to hand over parts of Baghdad's Green Zone - where the U.S. Embassy is located - to the Iraqis by the end of this year. It would also remove U.S. forces from Iraqi cities by June 30 next year, said the officials, who are both close to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and familiar with the negotiations.
The officials said all U.S. combat troops would leave Iraq by October 2010, with the remaining support personnel gone "around 2013."


Muqtada al-Sadr says he won't disband militia without US timetable
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, August 8th 2008, 10:38 AM
BAGHDAD - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered most of his militiamen to disarm but said Friday he will maintain elite fighting units to resist the Americans if a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops is not established.
The statement — read to worshippers during Friday prayers in Baghdad's former militia stronghold of Sadr City — is in line with details revealed earlier this week and appears to be an extension of plans he announced in June aimed at asserting more control over the militia.
"Weapons are to be exclusively in the hands of one group, the resistance group," while another group called Momahidoun is to focus on social, religious and community work, Sadrist cleric Mudhafar al-Moussawi said.
He said the announcement was particularly aimed at members of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, which has been blamed for some of the worst violence against American troops and rival Sunni Arabs.
Thousands of worshippers streamed out into the streets after the Islamic service, burning an American flag and shouting: "No, no to America. No, no to occupation."
The cleric has linked the reorganization of the Mahdi Army to U.S.-Iraqi negotiations over a long-term agreement that would extend the American presence in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year. Al-Sadr and his followers want the deal to include a timeframe for an American withdrawal and have warned they may not suspend operations without such a clauseMuqtada al-Sadr says he won't disband militia without US timetable



Gov. David Paterson signs foreclosure bill
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 5th 2008, 11:19 AM
Gov. David Paterson has signed legislation giving New Yorkers an extra 90 days to save their homes from foreclosure.
The bill, signed on Tuesday, aims to help homeowners who sought subprime loans.
The 90-day grace period is being added to what is typically a 440-day foreclosure process in New York — the longest in the nation.
Homeowners will now have time to meet with lenders and receive other information on dealing with their debt. The law also strengthens mortgage lending rules.
Foreclosures statewide were up 14 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
There have been about 50,000 home foreclosures this year. The state estimates another 38,000 homeowners could face foreclosure by the end of the yearGov. David Paterson signs foreclosure bill