Handover of Some Sovereignty to Iraq

by Mary

Bremer handed over (limited) sovereignty to Iraq this morning, two days early. Rather than a triumphant celebration, the handover happened in a small ceremony with only a few attending. Extensive security concerns about what would happen if they held the handover on schedule forced them to surprise the world as well as the Iraqis with an early handover.

As usual, one must read meanings into the words that are used to paint things in the media:

Although Allawi's government will have "full sovereignty," according to a U.N. Security Council resolution earlier this month, there are important constraints on its powers.

It is barred from making long-term policy decisions and will not have control over more than 160,000 foreign troops who will remain in Iraq. The government has the right to ask them to leave, but has made clear it has no intention of doing so.

And although this was supposed to be a signal that Americans would no longer be dying for Bush's war, no one expects American troops home anytime soon.

And perhaps now we can get an accounting of how our tax dollars have been spent in Iraq so far?

As America plans to step back from Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority, with Mr Bremer at the helm, has attracted plenty of similar criticism for failing to deliver on its promises to rebuild the country. Last year the American Congress granted £10 billion for the reconstruction of Iraq. It was told that expenditure would create 250,000 Iraqi jobs. So far, just under £2 billion has been spent. Only 15,000 jobs have been created.

Oh. Well, perhaps the money went to a more fitting recipient?