(Iraq) Council Leaders Pressing for Power

[kskiska]

Iraqis Urge Quick End to Occupation

Monday, September 15, 2003; Page A01

BAGHDAD, Sept. 14 -- Five key leaders of Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council have seized upon the debate over a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq to advocate a quick end to the American occupation and a transfer of power to Iraqis, fueling the first significant tensions between the Bush administration and its political allies here.

The leaders, who all head prominent political organizations that opposed the government of deposed president Saddam Hussein, want the 25-member Governing Council to expand its role beyond that envisaged by the U.S. occupation authority and assume the powers of a sovereign government until a new constitution is written and democratic elections are held.

"There must be a move forward to sovereignty for Iraq," said Ahmed Chalabi, the leader of the Iraqi National Congress opposition group and this month's Governing Council president. "We want to work with the international community to achieve that as soon as possible."

The demands for a fast transfer of power, shared by other leaders on the council, run counter to the Bush administration's postwar reconstruction strategy. The administration insists the U.S.-led occupation authority here should retain ultimate control over Iraq's civil and military affairs until the constitution is ratified and an elected government is seated, a process that U.S. officials have said could take until the end of next year.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10631-2003Sep14.html

[pw]

1. What they mean

Is that they want to get their hands on real power before people who haven't been picked at puppets by the US occupation get a chance to vote them out.

It's sad when people like Chalabi are the only voice the iraqi people seem to have.