Sunni legislators weigh in with demands

Despite the scope of the demands, legislators with the United Iraqi Alliance, the main Shiite bloc loyal to Maliki, were optimistic that the Sunnis could be satisfied and the pact would pass. Ridha Jawad Taqi, a Shiite lawmaker, suggested that at least some of the issues could be handled in a resolution that would commit the government to taking the action sought by Tawafiq. Even the demand for the referendum should be easy to manage if an article is simply added to the pact before the parliament vote, Taqi said.

"Everything is subject to deliberations," he said. "Talks are ongoing, and I think we can reach something positive tomorrow."

In addition to the Sunni bloc's concerns, lawmakers loyal to Sadr, who number about 30, are known to oppose the pact. A number of small parties have not made it clear which way they will go. The deal needs 138 votes to pass, but passage by a thin margin would highlight a failure to achieve the consensus Maliki seeks.

The parliament vote will be by a show of hands, putting lawmakers who say one thing publicly but lean in another direction in a difficult position. Many Sunnis, for example, want to present themselves publicly as staunch nationalists unwilling to accept foreign forces on Iraqi soil. But privately, they might fear the outcome if U.S. forces departed and left the Shiite-dominated government -- which rose to power after the ouster of Saddam Hussein's Sunni-led dictatorship -- fully in charge.

All the lawmakers are concerned about how their vote might affect their parties' chances in provincial elections, which are scheduled for Jan. 31.

As the vote on the pact neared, Iraqi leaders waged a fierce campaign to persuade opponents to change their minds, or to win over the undecided. At a news conference Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih repeated the government argument that Iraq's security and sovereignty depended on the pact.

"The alternatives are very dangerous for the future of Iraq as it heads for an unknown destiny," said Salih, arguing that it was better to have a plan for the future than none at all. "This agreement forms a clear road map for the withdrawal of the American forces from Iraq, and complete sovereignty."

If the pact is not passed by the end of next month, it would leave U.S. forces without legal standing to be in Iraq unless the U.N. mandate authorizing their presence was extended. The mandate expires Jan. 1.

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tina.susman@latimes.com

Times staff writer Caesar Ahmed contributed to this report.