Iraq Governing Council Disbands; Coalition Provisional Authority Still in Power

Associated Press ^ | June 1, 2004 | Hamza Hendawi

[AntiGuv]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A senior Bush administration official Tuesday hailed the appointment of a new Iraqi government and said the Coalition Provisional Authority would remain sovereign until June 30 to help the new leadership phase in.

The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that the Iraqi Governing Council, in office since July, had voted to dissolve effective immediately to allow the new government to begin taking over its responsibilities.

He also said the new Cabinet would begin negotiations on the status U.S. and other coalition forces in Iraq after June 30 "fairly soon."

The official said the Bush administration was pleased with the selection of Itad Allawi as prime minister and Ghazi al-Yawer as president, despite reports that the Americans favored former Foreign Minister Adnan Pachachi as head of state.

"It is committed to a democratic and stable Iraq and is filled with competent and honest individuals," the official said. "It is diverse and broadly representative of Iraq.

He denied America had a favorite for the presidency, saying U.S. officials here "went back to Washington for guidance" and was told that "either of them would make an excellent president for Iraq."

"We lobbied for neither one," he said, although several Governing Council members said that was not the case.

He said the Coalition Provisional Authority "will remain the sovereign authority until June 30" despite the naming of a new government and the dissolving of the Governing Council.

[OXENinFLA]

Him and his Brother(in the House)

[cookcounty]

"This is great.

Now the defeatists can't say "Who are we giving power to come July-1?"

Since Pachachi isn't the pick they can't say "The US & UN put Pachachi in, he's just a puppet for the US."

More outstanding poker from W.

[craig_eddy]

For goodness SAKE...The AP title drives me NUTS. I ASSUMED this was a bad-news article based on the use of the word "disbands." Damn the AP for their negative influence on the news.

[Starve The Beast]

Assassination and explosives are the best friend the Jihadist psychos ever found.

Can't agree with you there. I think that the BBC, the New York Times, and the rest of the western press are the best friend they ever had.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I hate Levin as much as the next guy, but he's saying that Bush is telling America there are only two choices-- his way or anybody else's way (which he says Bush would call cutting and running) and Levin is mad that Bush, in his opinion, isn't allowing for a third or fourth or fifth option that might be concocted by Democrats in DC without calling it cutting and running. He's not saying Bush has ever advocated cutting and running. He's actually more closely saying that Bush has accused Democrats of advocating such a policy.

[OXENinFLA]

He's not saying Bush has ever advocated cutting and running.

I gotta disagree w/ you there.

LEVIN: President Bush has offered two options for the United States. The first option is to stay the course; the second option is to cut and run.

[GraniteStateConservative]

No, that's what he means we he says Bush has offered two options (to the public): my way or the cutting and running way of those who don't like my way.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

My computer's misbehaving today. Unable to edit my homepage, for those who check for updated links. "Proxy Error - upstream server, no data." This "error" takes care of itself with time (has in the past). Hope to have an up-"datable" homepage soon.

I am happy for our troops today, grateful that the Iraqis stepped up and accepted leadership of their own country.

This removes at least one powerful weapon from our EFAD "info" providers....no more adding "US appointed" to "Iraqi Governing Council" in mainstream "news" accounts, with the inflammatory implications in the Arab world (+ kindred misquided and misguiding).

Quilla, think powers and principalities, and pray for courageous John Negroponte, please...our new UN envoy to Iraq, working to effect change from within this corrupted institution.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Rennes Templar]

I know. The main story is the appointment of a new leader and government. You think this would be in the title. The title actually leads one to believe the is a power vaccuum and the provisional gov't is holding it together.

I will revel in the leftist media pain as we approach the 30th and thereafter, particularly when Saddam is tried and executed, with hoards of Iraqis celebrating in the streets.

[TexasCowboy]

"Actually, it's late afternoon in Baghdad. ;-)"

Well, it's hog feeding time, huh?

I hope you're staying well and safe, hon.

[Graymatter]

Terrorists are going to do their utmost to sabotage Iraq's new government. Especially since the US election hinges on it as well. Quagmire equates to discrediting Bush.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"Moving forward...slowly but surely."

Slowly? Compared to the rehabilitation of Germany, Italy, Japan... this is freakin' instantaneous, man!

How did we become so impatient?

[WOSG]

Us freepers should be glad we got this younger man and not Pachachi. Pachachi was a unifying figure too, but had the odor of the oldstyle Arab nationalism that UN's Brahimi also represents.

We will see what this man Yawer has to say. he sounds like a better pick. Oh, I love it when the arabist state dept weenies outsmart themselves and back the IGC into a corner to actually do the better thing!!!

[kinghorse]

Ghazi al-Yawer = not the US choice = indeed was the US choice.
C'mon. Double back. Wears traditional dress? Check
Hails from Mosul? Check
gripes about Americans? Check

Yeah that would be a friend of ours. I am serious. No way we see a buddy buddy get it. He wouldn't last past the expiration date of the soy milk in his fridge.

[kinghorse]

Getting too hot over there for war. time to go back home and tend the fields. June30 is the perfect time to transfer power. It'll be 120 in the shade.

[Allegra]

Slowly? Compared to the rehabilitation of Germany, Italy, Japan... this is freakin' instantaneous, man!

I guess since I'm over here having mortars and rockets chunked in my general direction fairly regularly, I see it as being a slow-moving thing. But I see LOTS of progress in various areas that the media doesn't report.

It's all good. :-)

[Steve_Seattle]

This can't be true . . . General Zinni and all the other critics have been saying Bush had no plan.

[Old Sarge]

Next up - this week's Celebrity Trial Of The Century!!!

[Southack]

"This can't be true . . . General Zinni and all the other critics have been saying Bush had no plan."

No doubt! President Bush even gave his 5 point speech so that even ADD addled minds could grasp his plan, and still they fail to see that we have been right on target all along.

Oh well, time will make it obvious that President Bush's plan was the right way to go. Today marks a peaceful transfer of power in the Arab world, by the way... that's not exactly common over there, but the IGC is now gone. Peacefully. After doing their job.

No doubt this and other good news is giving Rogaine some good business in liberal newsrooms.