What a slick move, I hope everything works itself out for the best, fast.

Jun 28, 8:04 AM (ET)

By TAREK EL-TABLAWY

(AP) ALTERNATIVE CROP FROM BAG107 - U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer, right, hands a document to...
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S.-led coalition transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government two days early Monday in a surprise move that apparently caught insurgents off guard, averting a feared campaign of attacks to sabotage the highly symbolic step toward self-rule.

http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/200...=home&SEC=news

 

Sneaky.

 

All our heavy hitters are ignoring this one. Wonder why?
Bill

 

Do ya think this might be the reason?



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It was a smart move.
I'm all for anything that would reduce bloodshed.

I'd also say that Iyad Allawi is the bravest man in the World right now.

He is sitting in the hot seat. I'd be sweating bullets if it were me. Here is to hoping the US can keep him alive.

 

This is great news and as was stated a very smart move. There really isn’t much to say since it has been known for a long time that this transfer was happening…

 

I think you missed my point and I would be interested to hear more from you on your take on the event.
Bill

 

It is too late to comment now, but I think we are in for a very rude awakening.
I am pretty supportive of what we had in mind in the beginning of this whole episode but I am pretty disappointed at what has taken place in the last 3/4 months or so and very disappointed at what took place today.

Just for thought starters, we invaded the country 15 months ago, we more or less won the "war", which by the way was never declared ( it is still called an "Operation", whatever the hell that means). We never finished the job and seemingly are doing what many said we should do in 1973. Declare we won the war and go home.

In my opinion, the handing over to the Iraqi's the governing of their country two days early and with apparently no ceremony to speak of and the leaving of Mr. Bremer within two hours of the event smacks of what we went through in Viet Nam.

Agree with me or don't but I have a very bad feeling that this is not going to turn out very good for the average Iraqi. And in case anyone forgets, aside from WMD and the connection with Al Queda, our mission was to also deliver to the people of Iraq a stable democratic society.

I for one would not take any serious bets on that score at this point.
Bill

 

I think Bill has some valid concerns but our troops are still there and I suspect that they will be for a while. I think that giving the Iraqis nominal control was a concession that we had to make for political purposes and for show. I guess we will see how things go, its up to the Iraqi people to step up. The faster they can get their act together and put together a police force, border patrol, and national guard, the sooner they can get rid of us (since they seem to want us gone really badly). If I'm the average Iraqi (read: glad saddam gone, wants a normal life and wants US troops gone), its in my interest to do everything I can to help stabilize my country so that it can be completely my country again. We will have to hope that the Iraqis step up to the plate and help get things moving towards normalcy and are better prepared to run their own country than the South Vietamese were...

 

I get your point, but why would you want a big production in Iraq? It's too risky to have any big planned ceremony. There have been car bombings for years in the Arab countries. It is just now, since Bush is in office and trying to "change the world", (which the liberals love to say, but never do anything about) that it is widely reported. 5-10 years from now, Bush will be smiling with a cheshire cat grin at the de-stabilization of the middle east because of the Democracy smack dab in the middle.

 

Well-stated Frank!

I think the reason some people have a problem with the early transfer of sovereignty is because it went a little to smooth, nothing to complain about.

 

I was watching something on tv the other day and it was saying most of the factions in Iraq (Sunni's, Kurds, and Sheites) were getting along well. It went on to say that most realize in order to have a stable peaceful country they have to get along.

As far as giving the country back to them it boils down to "we will help you and will be with you as long as you want us here, but you are makeing the decisions now."