6 August, 2004

Council for Arab-British Understanding
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Iraqi Transition -The Times

Published in The Times

Sir, You show admirable optimism over Iraq (leading article, June 2). I am sure everyone wishes this to be justified but I find it difficult to recognise your description of events in this transfer of power. The United States was late in realising that the United Nations would be better placed to select the new government and too late in agreeing that this should be, in theory, a full sovereign government. The sense of panic was palpable. Worst of all, United States officials involved themselves in the selection process, making known whom their preferred candidates were and ensuring that there was a prime minister with close US ties. How can the coalition convince Iraqis that this is a real sovereign Iraqi government when they have their paw prints all over its selection? Will it not strengthen the view that the real transfer of power is from Paul Bremer to Ambassador John Negroponte? It all raises the question of what the role of the United Nations actually was and reinforces the view that, come July 1, the occupation will still be very much in existence. Yours faithfully,