Iraq Sovereignty transfer today! (two days early)

[Javert]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The handover of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government took place at 10:26 a.m. Baghdad time Monday, two days before the June 30 deadline previously announced by the U.S.-led coalition.

"This is a historic and happy day for us in Iraq," al-Yawar said. "It is a day that all Iraqis have been looking forward to. This is the day that we take our country back into the international community.

"We want a free and democratic Iraq, and we want a country that is a source of peace and stability for the whole world."

The interim Iraqi leaders expressed thanks to the coalition officials and troops, saying their sacrifices would not be in vain.

Zebari told reporters in Istanbul Monday morning the early transfer of sovereignty is "a sign we are ready for the job."

"We are ready to take up our responsibility even before June 30th," he said.

The handover comes as insurgents continue their attacks, with car bombings still taking many lives and more hostages being seized.


The full story here

It is seen that the surprise early transfer was to catch insurgents off guard looking for an ultimate attack. Very smart, I applaud both Bremer and the Iraq sovereign government.

 

[Pogrom]

Heh, cool.

I'd be tempted to predict how long until Iraq goes down the crapper like Afghanistan. But then again, Afghanistan only has a small amount of troops still there.

Iraq still has what... 135 000?

Oh well, YAY for pocket democracy!

 

[Devilphish]

Groovy. Hope it goes well for them.

 

[Mr-Fusion]

Hurahh for anarchy!

 

[Pogrom]

Hurahh for anarchy!

No no, that is what they have now.

Afterwards they'll have a government that has no control over the security provided by the US. Besides asking them to leave, of course.

 

[crabcakes66]

Wow...someone does have some brains afterall.

 

[Dedalus]

hmm, dunno how much different this is gonna make to the actual situation. the only thing i think it'll do is allow current western presidents/primeministers to score points from it.

let's hope they can turn the corner.

 

[Cybernoid]

There's still the problem of terrorists (I'm not calling them resistance fighters).

 

[PvtRyan]

"We want a free and democratic Iraq, and we want a country that is a source of peace and stability for the whole world."

Yeah, they really achieved that! Iraq is as stable as Uranium in a blender. At least Saddam had the country under control.

 

[Gunner]

Amazing, two days early, and I thought it would have been delayed.

 

[Murray_H]

Amazing, two days early, and I thought it would have been delayed.

hhahahaha lolz omg dey r not valVE u no!!!1111

just getting it out of the way before someone says it

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Yeah, they really achieved that! Iraq is as stable as Uranium in a blender. At least Saddam had the country under control.

These things take time, countries don't magically become great. In fact there are very few places on earth which are completely stable.

 

[Direwolf]

Iraq is currently pretty dicey, but these things hardly ever go smoothly. At least this is a step in the right direction. Al Sadr has a cease fire in effect right now too, for all thats worth. We want the Iraqi government to deal with him.

 

[A2597]

Yeah, they really achieved that! Iraq is as stable as Uranium in a blender. At least Saddam had the country under control.

"Under control" ?

Dood, he simply killed anyone and their extended families if they did something he didn't like! And paid people to blow themselves up (Well, their families)...
Under control? Yeesh.


I hope it goes well, the sooner they can maintain their own country, the sooner our boys can come home.

 

[Cybernoid]

"Under control" ?

Dood, he simply killed anyone and their extended families if they did something he didn't like! And paid people to blow themselves up (Well, their families)...
Under control? Yeesh.


I hope it goes well, the sooner they can maintain their own country, the sooner our boys can come home.

Saddam did keep things under control, even if his methods were... politically uncorrect.

 

[DizzyOne]

like the new iraqi government is any good...

 

[Gunner]

hhahahaha lolz omg dey r not valVE u no!!!1111

just getting it out of the way before someone says it

Hehe I didn't notice the HL2 analogy, but I'm serious, I honestly believed they would have pushed back the transfer to a later date since the situation is clearly volatile. On the other hand I can understand the CPA just wants to get the hell out of there.

 

[Adidajs]

very smart move. i just hope the new iraqi government is looked upon favorably by its people. it's something I hope they'll be proud to be apart of.

 

[crabcakes66]

like the new iraqi government is any good...

Bit early to say stuff like this....

 

[Javert]

Saddam did keep things under control, even if his methods were... politically uncorrect.

...and criminal.

 

[Joeyslucky22]

What I find funny is how Mr. Kerry was disaprooving of this transfer way before it happened....

and now hes saying it was a good choice made by bush but gives no thanks to him... :hmph:

 

[Javert]

What I find funny is how Mr. Kerry was disaprooving of this transfer way before it happened....

and now hes saying it was a good choice made by bush but gives no thanks to him... :hmph:

Because the "transfer way" first planned by Bush was so haphazard (with its repercussions seen to this day), that Kerry was not alone in disaprooving (or "disapproving" when spelled correctly) the original plan.

 

[crabcakes66]

and now hes saying it was a good choice made by bush but gives no thanks to him... :hmph:

Why the **** would he thank him?!

Bush has screwed everything up by the numbers.

 

[thehunter1320]

does this mean we're pulling out troops out?

 

[WillH]

As much as I disagree with the reasons behind the war, I can only hope this conflict comes to a quick conclusion, with as little more blood shed as possible. It still makes me sad that upwards of 1000 of my fellow countrymen died and yet our leaders still can't give a solid reason for the war. Alas we can only hope for the best now, its times like these that make me wish I had more religious faith.

 

[Baal]

Not sure if anyone posted this already, but it's pretty big, Iraq gets custody of Saddam:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/06/29/iraq.saddam/index.html