'There Is No Way to Turn Back,' New Iraqi President Declares

[gratuitous]

June 30 came two days early!

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/28/international/28CND-IRAQ.html?hp

'There Is No Way to Turn Back,' New Iraqi President DeclaresBy JEFFREY GETTLEMAN

Published: June 28, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 28 — In a surprise, secret ceremony that was hastily convened to decrease the chances of more violence, United States officials today handed over sovereignty to Iraqi leaders, formally ending the American occupation two days earlier than scheduled.

In a tightly guarded room behind high walls, L. Paul Bremer III, the top United States administrator, presented a formal letter recognizing Iraq's sovereignty to Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.

Just 30 or so people were present for what Dr. Allawi described as the "historic" handover.

A few hours later, Mr. Bremer flew off on a military plane, leaving behind a country stunned by the sudden transfer of authority. Shortly afterward, Dr. Allawi was formally sworn in as Prime Minister.

_________________________

Dashing off like a thief in the night!

[tabasco]

1. Yay! Now it will be apparent for all to see...

that this transfer of "sovereignty" is NOTHING but a sham. Our troops and innocent Iraqis will continue to die. The US will still control every decision in Iraq. Last time I checked, sovereignty includes the power to tell a large foreign army to leave. As we all know, the "free" Iraqi government has no such power. Democracy from the barrel of a gun. How special.

[gratuitous]

2. Doggone LBN rules

Or maybe I should say "doggone stupid NYT headline that doesn't tell the story."

I for one think it's significant that under cover of incredible secrecy, Paul Bremer skedaddled out of Iraq two days early and handed "sovereignty" over to some interim government factotum. "Historic" event indeed. Looks like a kid joyriding in a stolen car who runs it up on the curb and then sprints away, hoping to avoid the cops in hot pursuit.