WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says a future Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) negotiated with the Iraqi government will not include a formal arrangement requiring the United States to defend Iraq. VOA’s Dan Robinson reports on testimony by Gates to Senate and House committees on Capitol Hill. U.S. and Iraqi officials hope to conclude a bilateral agreement on military, political and economic cooperation, including the role of U.S. forces, within the next six months. However, the issue is controversial, with congressional Democrats and other critics accusing the Bush administration of negotiating the accord, and a declaration of principles signed late last year, without seeking approval or guidance from Congress. The matter was among the first mentioned by Senate Armed Forces Committee chairman Carl Levin. LEVIN: Is it the intention as far as you know, to submit any agreement which is negotiated with the government of Iraq to the Senate for its advice and consent, if there is any commitment in such an agreement to defend Iraq beyond the term of this administration? GATES: I am certainly no lawyer but I would say that any elements in the agreement, in any agreement that is […]