U.S. Edicts Curb Power Of Iraq's Leadership

[shraby]

BAGHDAD, June 26 -- U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer has issued a raft of edicts revising Iraq (news - web sites)'s legal code and has appointed at least two dozen Iraqis to government jobs with multi-year terms in an attempt to promote his concepts of governance long after the planned handover of political authority on Wednesday.


Some of the orders signed by Bremer, which will remain in effect unless overturned by Iraq's interim government, restrict the power of the interim government and impose U.S.-crafted rules for the country's democratic transition. Among the most controversial orders is the enactment of an elections law that gives a seven-member commission the power to disqualify political parties and any of the candidates they support.

The effect of other regulations could last much longer. Bremer has ordered that the national security adviser and the national intelligence chief chosen by the interim prime minister he selected, Ayad Allawi, be given five-year terms, imposing Allawi's choices on the elected government that is to take over next year.

Bremer also has appointed Iraqis handpicked by his aides to influential positions in the interim government. He has installed inspectors-general for five-year terms in every ministry. He has formed and filled commissions to regulate communications, public broadcasting and securities markets. He named a public-integrity commissioner who will have the power to refer corrupt government officials for prosecution.

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<http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1802&ncid=1802&e=1&u=/washpost/20040627/ts_washpost/a8665_2004jun26>

Way to transfer authority, huh?

[joanski01]

1. All the bushies are doing is

transferring the blame. I heard it on all the talk shows today. The Iraqi's have asked for NATO's help. The new Defense Minister has said that the US was constrained in doing some things to the terrorists. The Defense Minister said he would hit them hard. He said they would "cut off their hands and behead them".

Now will somebody please tell me how this is different from Saddam Hussain. Both Senators Hagel and Dodd said (even though Dodd didn't agree with it) that it was their country and they could cut off hands and heads if they want to. What is different now? Nothing, but, I guess the US will own the country and put up military bases, take oil, etc. Oh, shit, I'm making myself sick.

[joanski01]

2. Gads! This sunk to the

second page already.