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.

The Governing Council called for changes to give Iraq full control over troops on its soil and of its oil.

Mr Bush, in a televised address to assure worried US voters that his project in Iraq was on track, said US forces would stay on and even be reinforced to stabilise Iraq in the run-up to elections in the new year.

But after 14 months of occupation Iraqi leaders and the people made it clear they want to be left alone.

The draft would give a US-led multinational force an effectively open-ended mandate, reviewable in a year, though British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iraqi leaders would have political control over major military decisions.

Mr al-Yawer also demanded control of revenue from oil sales, which Washington says should remain subject to international audit. France and Russia, opponents of Bush’s invasion, said they too wanted changes in the US and British-sponsored draft.

France says the resolution must be improved if it is to gain UN support. Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said plans for the transfer of power should be “sincere, credible and realistic”.

The text says that the interim Iraqi government that takes charge on 30 June will have sovereignty, but limited control over coalition military operations.

It does not specify that troops will leave Iraq if the government asks them to.

Iraqi National Congress (INC) of Ahmad Chalabi said: “The draft resolution fails the test of Iraqi sovereignty. Only an Iraqi chain of command can show Iraqi forces that they are fighting for their country and not for foreigners.”

Mr Bush warned that coming months would see more bloodshed. He laid out a five-point plan to “achieve freedom in Iraq”:

Hand over authority to a sovereign Iraqi government.

Help establish stability and security.

Rebuild infrastructure.

Draw other countries into military operations.

Move toward national elections by January.