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06/28/2004 Archived Entry: "Iraq handover of sovereignty completed"

Posted by steve @ 04:37 AM EST [Link]

CONGRATS: It's two days earlier than announced but Iraqis are now in charge of their own destiny. At 10:26am Baghdad time, the interim Iraqi government formally took over the running of their nation.

Coalition Administrator Paul Bremer -- now the former administrator -- read his letter contained in the transfer document:

"As recognized in U.N. Security Council resolution 1546, the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist on June 28th, at which point the occupation will end and the Iraqi interim government will assume and exercise full sovereign authority on behalf of the Iraqi people. I welcome Iraq's steps to take its rightful place of equality and honor among the free nations of the world. Sincerely, L. Paul Bremer, ex-administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority."

Bremer handed the transfer document to the head of the Iraqi Supreme Court, who then gave it to President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and the deputy prime minister also attended.

"This is a historic and happy day for us in Iraq," al-Yawar said. "It is a day that all Iraqis have been looking forward to. This is the day that we take our country back into the international community.

"We want a free and democratic Iraq, and we want a country that is a source of peace and stability for the whole world."

Welcome to the family guys.

Read on.

Replies: 1 Comment

A big hardy welcome to our new friends in democracy....Iraq.

Posted by Craig @ 06/28/2004 08:40 AM EST