The Hindu : International : `Limited sovereignty' for interim regime

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 28, 2004

International

International

`Limited sovereignty' for interim regime

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, APRIL 27. The Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has said that the interim Government that will assume power in Iraq on July 1 will have to give up some of its sovereignty so that the United States' armed forces can go about establishing security in the country.

In an interview with Reuters, Mr. Powell has denied using the words "limited sovereignty" but has stressed that in order for the new Government to be up and running effectively, "some of its sovereignty will have to be given back... Or limited by them, and understanding by them that it is important to let the multinational force to be able to operate under its own command, U.S. Command with the coalition forces under U.S. direction".

"It is not as if we're seizing anything away from them. It is with the understanding that they need our help.

And for us to provide that help, we have to be able to operate freely, which, in some ways infringes on what some would call `full sovereignty'", Mr. Powell said.

On the current stand-off in Fallujah and Najaf, the Secretary of State has hinted that Washington might be inclined to wait for a "little bit of time".

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