Iraqis running half of their ministries already

[Dionysos]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...xing_muscles_2
BAGHDAD, Iraq - With two weeks to go until full sovereignty, Iraqis already are running more than half the government's ministries, making key decisions, setting policy and managing their own budgets without direction from the U.S.-led coalition.

As of this week, Iraqis are in full control of 15 of the 26 ministries — including the key departments of oil, foreign affairs, health, education, public works and municipalities, and transportation — even before the June 30 transfer of sovereignty, coalition officials say.

Over the next two weeks, the remaining ministries will assume full powers in such critical fields as defense, communications, electricity and finance.

At the same time, Iraq (news - web sites)'s new leaders are beginning to assert their independence, taking public stands different from their American backers on issues including the fate of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), security and control over key public property.

The differences have not approached a serious breach and could simply reflect the fact that no Iraqi politician wants to be seen by his own people — or the wider Arab world — as a Washington puppet.

American officials in Iraq have publicly downplayed any talk of differences with the new government, which the United States and the United Nations (news - web sites) put together to take power until national elections planned by Jan. 31.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has arrived in Baghdad to discuss the fine points of the power transfer and details of the relationship between the United States and the new government after June 30.

The U.S.-run Coalition Provisional Authority, which assumed supreme power in Iraq after the collapse of Saddam's regime, disappears with the sovereignty transfer and a U.S. Embassy will begin functioning.

"These talks are just the beginning of a new relationship between the government of Iraq and the members of the coalition," a coalition statement said Wednesday after Wolfowitz's first day of talks with Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and others.

"The constructive and positive atmosphere of the talks reflects the nature of this new relationship — a partnership based on common objectives and assessments."

Nevertheless, recent statements by Allawi, President Ghazi al-Yawer and others indicate that the new Iraqi leaders do not intend to be pushovers — even if they support many U.S. policy goals.

One example is control of Saddam's former Republican Palace, which has become the headquarters for the U.S.-led coalition. U.S. officials want to stay there, saying there will not be enough room in the American Embassy for all the offices required by the new diplomatic mission.

But al-Yawer told reporters Tuesday the Iraqi government wants the Republican Palace back.

"There is no talk of inviting the United States to keep the Republican Palace as an embassy supplement," al-Yawer said. "We asked that the Republican Palace be vacated in the fastest opportunity. It is a symbol of Iraqi sovereignty."

There also are differences over the issue of Saddam, who has been held in American custody since he was captured by U.S. soldiers in December near Tikrit.

In a series of interviews, Allawi said the new government expected to take control of Saddam with the return of sovereignty.

Salem Chalabi, who is in charge of setting up a special tribunal to try members of the ousted regime, went even further Tuesday, telling The Associated Press he expected criminal charges to be filed against the deposed leader by June 30.

President Bush (news - web sites), however, said Tuesday the United States was working with the Iraqis on the terms of handing over Saddam and making sure there was "appropriate security."

"I want to make sure that when sovereignty is transferred, Saddam Hussein stays in jail," Bush told reporters.

U.S. Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, coalition deputy operations chief, said American and Iraqi authorities were discussing what to do about Saddam and other prisoners after the Iraqis assume sovereignty.

"There have been some novel thoughts about how that can be done jointly, should it be done jointly, in what manner can it be done jointly," Kimmitt said.

Kimmitt refused to elaborate. Joint custody could include both Americans and Iraqis running prisons together or the Americans holding Saddam and other top prisoners on behalf of the Iraqi administration.

[psyon]

long as we get that oil flowing....


not impressed

[Dionysos]

Originally posted by psyon
long as we get that oil flowing....

not impressed

I think it's a good sign that we're actually handing over power to the Iraqis.

[Hey Bubu]

Originally posted by Dionysos
I think it's a good sign that we're actually handing over power to the Iraqis.

However I don't think things are quite going according to plan. Our position in Iraq might end up being a lot lower than expected.

[Dionysos]

Originally posted by TypeH
However I don't think things are quite going according to plan. Our position in Iraq might end up being a lot lower than expected.

What would you define as "a lot lower"?

[TheHawk]

I agree with Johnny, it appears as if we're actually doing this like we said we would. I'm also glad to see the incoming government isn't afraid to disagree with our govt, and I hope they cut us out as fast as possible.

[Hey Bubu]

Originally posted by Dionysos
What would you define as "a lot lower"?

Meaning the influence that we would have over Iraq and the Iraqi government will probably end up being not as strong as originally thought/planned.

Also the appointed leaders put into place by our government have either been assasinated or have been replaced with ultra conservative/religious ones.


I wonder what Bush thinks about Islam as a religion too, this is very much a part of middle eastern life and plays a bigger role in their government than it does in ours.

[TheHawk]

Originally posted by TypeH
I wonder what Bush thinks about Islam as a religion...

I think someone will have to explain to him that Islam is a religion first.