The Hindu : Front Page : U.S. hands over political authority to Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 29, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

U.S. hands over political authority to Iraq

By Atul Aneja

`TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY': United States Administrator in Iraq L. Paul Bremer (right) hands over a document sealing the "transfer of sovereignty" to Iraq to the country's Chief Justice, Midhat al-Mahmoudi, in Baghdad on Monday. Looking on are Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi (centre) and his deputy Barham Salih. — AP

MANAMA, JUNE 28. The United States-led administration occupying Iraq today formally handed over political authority to a handpicked Iraqi Interim Government two days ahead of schedule at a ceremony in Baghdad's high security "green zone."

Only six persons were present at the low-key ceremony that took place in a room at the Interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi's office at 10.26 a.m., local time. Besides Mr. Allawi, those present included the outgoing U.S. administrator, Paul Bremer, the Interim President, Ghazi Yawar, the Chief Justice, Mehdad Mahmoudi, the Deputy Prime Minister, Barham Salih, and the British Ambassador, David Richmond. The function was not telecast live and Iraqi citizens were unaware of the transfer for about half-an-hour after the event. Security was extremely tight, with helicopters hovering overhead and security personnel posted on rooftops. A second swearing in for members of the Interim Government was later held and was televised.

News about the advancement of the handover first broke in Istanbul, where the Iraqi Interim Foreign Minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, is participating in a NATO summit. Mr. Zebari told reporters that the transfer was being advanced in order to thwart possible plans by Iraqi guerrillas to launch attacks on June 30, the original date for the handover. The guerrillas have markedly stepped up their assaults as the date for the transfer has approached. About 100 persons were killed last week when the resistance fighters launched coordinated attacks in five cities, signalling the expansion of urban guerrilla warfare.

Mr. Bremer handed over legal documents sealing the transfer to an Iraqi judge and flew out of Iraq shortly afterwards, ending fourteen months of direct rule by a body designated by the occupation as the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).

Mr. Ghazi Yawar said that "a historic day" had dawned on Iraq. Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. Allawi. Analysts, however, point out that despite the transfer of "sovereignty," the new government had little authority to act independently. It will be backed by a 135,000-strong U.S. security force. Besides, constrained by an Interim Constitution, the new government will not be empowered to take any major policy decisions and will be present only for a few months till elections are held in January 2005.

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