Sovereignty offer falls short, say Iraqis

IRAQIS reacted with scepticism to promises from US President George W Bush of an independent future, saying an offer of sovereignty did not go far enough to restore their freedom.

The president of the Iraqi Governing Council said the plans fell well short. Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer said the council welcomed Mr Bush’s statement the occupation will end on June 30 as expected but that the draft blueprint given to the UN Security Council was “less than our expectations.”

He said he hoped input from the Governing Council would be incorporated into the final resolution.