LAT: In Weary Baghdad, Hope Rises Unsteadily to Its Feet

[DeepModem Mom]

THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ
In Weary Baghdad, Hope Rises Unsteadily to Its Feet

By John Daniszewski, Times Staff Writer


BAGHDAD — The news caught everyone by surprise. But for once in Iraq, it was pleasant news.

Across the capital, almost anyone who stopped to speak Monday said the end of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority and the hand-over of power to the new interim Iraqi government two days ahead of schedule was a step forward for this spent, bloodied and exhausted country.

And although few were waxing lyrical about their new prime minister, Iyad Allawi, or his colleagues — or were expecting things to improve overnight — many were willing to give the new team the benefit of the doubt. Some said the insurgents should take a hiatus to allow the government to work....

***

The earlier-than-expected transfer of power gave a sense of relief to a population taut with worry that insurgents planned a wave of terrorist bombings to coincide with the handoff. Some Baghdadis had already closed businesses and fled the capital.

Speaking with an optimism that had become exceedingly rare here in recent months, many of the Iraqis interviewed expressed satisfaction that they again had a government with a degree of authority....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-voxpop29jun29,1,5363993.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[JaySherman]

1. Quick! Where's my vomit bucket?

:puke: