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US to begin process of transfer of power to Iraqis this week
Washington, Jan 04: The United States, the dominant occupying power in Iraq, will begin this week the transfer of power to Iraqis in a process that is scheduled to be completed by June 30.
Washington, Jan 04: The United States, the dominant occupying power in Iraq, will begin this week the transfer of power to Iraqis in a process that is scheduled to be completed by June 30.
Critical details are still to be negotiated between the US administrator in Iraq L Paul Bremer and Iraqis.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell told the ‘Washington Post’ in an interview, "We are open to refinement and we are waiting to hear what people have suggested or will suggest."
One of the most difficult problems, analysts note, is to maintain the unity and integrity of Iraq in which Shias, who constitute 60 per cent of the population, have been kept out of power ever since its creation.
Sunnis have dominated the government but, for the last few years, Kurds have enjoyed virtual independence under the protection of the US and British warplanes operating from Turkey.
Iraqis have to determine their relationship with us troops -- and therefore the US -- after the handing over of power, ‘The Post’ notes.
One of the thorniest issues will be giving US troops immunity from prosecution for any action they may take, a standard US demand when it deploys troops abroad.
The US-appointed governing council has been unable to close the wide differences of opinion among rival Iraqi leaders, ranging from grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani to the Sunni community, who dominated Iraq politically until the American invasion.
Bureau Report
US Secretary of State Colin Powell told the ‘Washington Post’ in an interview, "We are open to refinement and we are waiting to hear what people have suggested or will suggest."
One of the most difficult problems, analysts note, is to maintain the unity and integrity of Iraq in which Shias, who constitute 60 per cent of the population, have been kept out of power ever since its creation.
Sunnis have dominated the government but, for the last few years, Kurds have enjoyed virtual independence under the protection of the US and British warplanes operating from Turkey.
Iraqis have to determine their relationship with us troops -- and therefore the US -- after the handing over of power, ‘The Post’ notes.
One of the thorniest issues will be giving US troops immunity from prosecution for any action they may take, a standard US demand when it deploys troops abroad.
The US-appointed governing council has been unable to close the wide differences of opinion among rival Iraqi leaders, ranging from grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani to the Sunni community, who dominated Iraq politically until the American invasion.
Bureau Report