29jun04
A FORMER senior Iraqi diplomat now living in Australia today condemned the Iraq handover as little more than a superficial handshake to pass power to a select few.
Dr Mohammed Al Jabiri said Iraqi people would not have sovereignty under the new arrangement and would continue to live in miserable conditions without basic necessities.
"It's only a handover to a few who have been appointed by the occupiers. The people themselves haven't received anything, so there's no sovereignty."
Dr Al Jabiri said while Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi was a close friend of his, he had serious reservations about the leader's role.
"Allawi's a nice guy but he's not elected on the people's behalf," he said.
Dr Al Jabiri, the former Iraqi ambassador in Spain, was recalled from his post in 1980, shortly after Saddam Hussein took power.
The 67-year-old said that during his recent visit home he saw Iraqis going without food, water, electricity, sewage treatment and other necessities.
"People have started to think the period Saddam (Hussein) ruled was better than this. It's appalling."
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