U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraqi gov't

Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:09 pm

http://www.cjad.com/content/cp_article.asp...ws/w062859A.htm

In surprise move, U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraqi gov't ahead of schedule
Updated at 13:56 on June 28, 2004, EST.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S.-led coalition transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government two days early Monday in a surprise move that apparently caught insurgents off guard, averting a feared campaign of attacks to sabotage the historic step toward self-rule.

Legal documents transferring sovereignty were handed over by U.S. governor Paul Bremer to chief justice Midhat al-Mahmood in a small ceremony in the heavily guarded Green Zone. Bremer took charge in Iraq about a year ago.

"This is a historical day ... a day that all Iraqis have been looking forward to," said Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawer. "This is a day we are going to take our country back into the international forum."

Militants had conducted a campaign of car bombings, kidnappings and other violence that killed hundreds of Iraqis in recent weeks and was designed to disrupt the transfer, announced by the U.S. administration late last year. Initially, the Americans were thought to have planned for about one more year of occupation.

The response in Baghdad was mixed.

"Iraqis are happy inside, but their happiness is marred by fear and melancholy," said artist Qassim al-Sabti. "Of course I feel I'm still occupied. You can't find anywhere in the world people who would accept occupation. America these days, is like death. Nobody can escape from it."

Two hours after the ceremony Bremer left Iraq on a U.S. air force C-130, said Robert Tappan, an official of the former coalition occupation authority. Bremer was accompanied by coalition spokesman Dan Senor and close members of his staff. Bremer's destination was not given, but an aide said he was "going home."

The new interim government was sworn in six hours after the handover ceremony, which Western governments largely hailed as a necessary next step. The Arab world voiced cautious optimism, but maintained calls for the U.S. military to leave the country quickly.

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi delivered a sweeping speech sketching out some of his goals for the country, urging people not to be afraid of the "outlaws" fighting against "Islam and Muslims," assuring them that "God is with us."

"I warn the forces of terror once again," he said. "We will not forget who stood with us and against us in this crisis."

Members of Allawi's cabinet each stepped forward to place their right hand on the Qur'an and pledged to accept their new duties with sincerity and impartiality. Behind them, a bank of Iraqi flags lined the podium.

"Before us is a challenge and a burden and we ask God almighty to give us the patience and guide us to take this country whose people deserves all goodness," said President Ghazi al-Yawer after taking his oath. "May God protect Iraq and its citizens."

Although Iraqis are now supposed to be in charge, American security officers prevented reporters from talking with willing Iraqi ministers after the swearing-in ceremony, hustling journalists away even after the new government officials had stopped to chat with them.

Several staffers from the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Communications are now serving as media advisers to Allawi.

The NATO alliance quickly said it would begin training the Iraqi military, which faces a daunting task in putting down the growing insurgency threatening the country.

U.S. President George W. Bush marked the transfer with a whispered comment and a handshake with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, gathered with world leaders around a table at a NATO summit in Istanbul, Turkey.

Stealing a glance at his watch to make sure the transfer had occurred, Bush put his hand over his mouth to guard his remarks, leaned toward Blair and then reached out to shake hands. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, a row behind the president, beamed.

Bush was briefed Sunday that the Allawi government was ready to take power early.

The early transfer had been under discussion between Allawi and U.S. officials for at least a week, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

John Negroponte, the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq, arrived in Baghdad late Monday. Bush named Negroponte, 64, as ambassador to Iraq on April 19.

With Negroponte in Baghdad, "the Department of State is taking the lead now," Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said.

"We will be the dominant voice," Armitage said.

U.S. plans call for a U.S. Embassy that probably will be the largest in the world, with some 1,000 Americans assisted by hundreds of Iraqis. Negroponte will be assisted by a handful of U.S. ambassadors who volunteered for duty in Baghdad.

The interim government will only hold power seven months until, as directed by a United Nations Security Council resolution, there must be elections "in no case later than" Jan. 31. The Americans will still hold responsibility for security. And the interim government will not be able to amend the interim constitution. That document outlines many civil liberties guarantees that would make problematic a declaration of emergency.

The new government's major tasks will be to prepare for elections, handle the day-to-day running of the country and work along with the U.S.-led multinational force, which is responsible for security. The Iraqis can in principle ask the foreign troops to leave, although that is unlikely.

With the transfer, the Iraqis now face the daunting task of securing law and order with the help of about 135,000 U.S. troops and about 20,000 more from other coalition countries.

"You have said, and we agreed, that you are ready for sovereignty," Bremer said in the ceremony. "I will leave Iraq confident in its future."

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MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:19 pm

2 days early. I hope things are under control....

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fragged one · Post by **fragged one** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:38 pm

MrSelf wrote: 2 days early. I hope things are under control....

about as under control as la during the rodney king riots.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 7:48 pm

never thought of this but maybe they got a threat of some sort to not wait.

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MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:08 pm

My honest guess is that they are attempting to throw off anyone planning on bombing during the day of the hand-over by rushing the hand-over.Any plans to ruin that day have failed.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:10 pm

Yeah that makes sense.

Now that iraq is out of the question, al queda wants to bomb Canada.

Well we're 5th on the list so I'm not that worried. What are they going to hit, the CN tower?! lol

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MrSelf · Post by **MrSelf** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:12 pm

Who will the U.S. attack next!

Stay tuned! The answer, right after these messages from our sponsors.

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Red Squirrel · Post by **Red Squirrel** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:19 pm

LOL

CNN - Welcome to the new War! 6:00Oclock news. Today we will reveil who is voted off the planet. Will it be Canada? Will it be UK? Stay tuned to find out! This is CNN Live *CNN music*

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