Handover of power in Iraq may be delayed, says senator

[T_i_B]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=508510

The debate in America over the transfer of power in Iraq went public yesterday as senior Republican and Democratic senators suggested the 30 June deadline for the handover would have to be dropped, given the risk of Iraq sliding into civil war.

Asked if the handover would have to be pushed back, Senator Richard Lugar, the Republican chairman of the powerful Senate foreign relations committee, said bluntly: "It may be."

There were still far too many questions about what would happen after the scheduled date, he told the ABC-TV This Week news programme. "I'm haunted by the 30 June problem. We have to have security. We have to give sovereignty to someone, but to whom? This is an extremely serious problem."

The doubts aired by Mr Lugar are telling, coming from one of the most thoughtful and sober foreign-policy specialists on Capitol Hill, and a so far loyal supporter of President George Bush's policy on Iraq.

[bluestateguy]

1. It won't be (on paper anyway)

We will still be calling all the important shots over there, but Baby Bush wants his turnover ceremony on June 30th no matter what because it will make for great campaign commercial footage.

[radfringe]

2. wonder what the banner or backdrop will say?

bet it won't say "mission accomplished"

[Crunchy Frog]

4. Do you think he'll

wear a codpiece for the announcement this time?

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. What no elite USN Banner crew?

[aquart]

3. Not when it blows up the following day.

Which so many of George's photo ops do.

[T_i_B]

6. US senators warn of Iraq civil war

BBC article

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3599909.stm

Richard Lugar and Joe Biden, the Republic and Democratic Party leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the US should consider postponing the handing over of sovereignty which at the moment is set for 30 June.

Democrat Senator Joe Biden talked over the weekend of the real prospect of civil war in Iraq if the White House sticks to the 30 June deadline for handing over sovereignty.

Mr Biden said Nato should be involved and the UN should be invited to send a commissioner to help run the country.

Mr Biden's Republican colleague, Richard Lugar, also talked of the possibility of civil war.

[joeunderdog]

7. What? Did someone actually believe they would pull out on schedule?

C'mon. A Chimp fantasy at best. This Formula War is the wrong formula. Back to the drawing board for the PNAC'ers.