The Bush administration has agreed to restore independence to Iraq as early as next June, apparently hoping the move will change the perception of the United States as an occupying power and curb the mounting attacks on American forces in the country, Iraqi and American officials said Friday.
On Saturday, the Iraqi Governing Council announced that the U.S.-led occupation administration will end by June, after a new transitional government is selected and takes sovereignty, according to The Associated Press.
The plan to accelerate the transfer of power was put forward by Iraqi leaders this week, and taken to Washington by L. Paul Bremer III, the American administrator in Iraq. Late on Friday, officials said, a newly returned Mr. Bremer hastened to tell members of the Iraqi Governing Council's inner leadership circle that the White House had broadly accepted the plan.
Mr. Bremer is to meet with the full 24-member council on Saturday.
NYTimesJust in time for the election...how bloody convenient. I wonder what kind of "sweetheart" deals have been made that we may never hear about.
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