Moscow, Nov 19: A senior Russian diplomat today assailed the U.S. plan for handing over power to a new transitional government in Iraq next June, saying it fails to duly engage the global community in rebuilding the country. Deputy foreign minister Yuri Fedotov, Russia`s diplomatic point man on Iraq, said that the agreement for a transfer of power was ``signed in a secretive atmosphere and actually without regard for the views of the international community, neighbouring countries and the United Nations Security Council,`` the Interfax news agency reported.

The US endorsed agreement calls for drafting, with US. Help, an interim constitution, followed by the installation of a provisional government that will take over from US Administrator L. Paul Bremer`s coalition authority in June. That government will then stage national elections to pick a constituent assembly that will draft a permanent constitution.

Fedotov said the United States had failed to engage the United Nations in drafting the agreement, even though a recent US drafted Security Council resolution ``provided an opportunity to make this process as transparent as possible, with the opinions of other countries, Security Council members and Iraq`s neighboring countries taken into account.`` "The very process of clearing and drafting this agreement was conducted in a kind of secret manner, without consultations,`` Fedotov said. As a result, he added, the proposed timeframe raises questions.

"Why was this date chosen in advance? it is not quite clear what motives are behind all this,`` Fedotov said.
Bureau Report