Any Breakthrough On Iraq’s Power Transfer?

UN inspectors arrived in Baghdad on February 7 to begin 10 long days of inspection activities regarding the power transfer from the United States to Iraq.

It is the first time the UN inspectors have officially visited Iraq since the suicide bomb attack incident occurred against the UN office in Baghdad in August 2003, which left 22 people dead.

The United States has plans to organize an interim government until June, with the launch of a formal government through a general election scheduled for the end of the next year. Due to the pressure from the Shia Muslims urging the US to advance the date of power transfer to this year, however, discussions regarding the political schedules have continued.

Concerned about the status in Iraq becoming an obstacle on the upcoming US presidential election, U.S. president George W. Bush is hopeful that the UN’s intervention will be carried out. Ali Al Sistani, the superior chief of Shia Muslims, has already disclosed that they will respect the decision of the UN.

The experts anticipate that UN will come to a decision that reflects the standpoint of both sides alike.

As a matter of fact, based on the power transfer schedule designated by the US, the general election cannot be advanced easily. The experts observed that UN would correct the relevant schedule with “flexibility” to carry out the election as soon as possible.

But, even though the UN will adjust the political schedule, the official establishment of the new Iraqi government will not be easily accomplished due to the competing interests of the families and clans.

The Kurds are asserting the introduction of the federal government system. Strong opinions have surfaced from both the Sunni Muslims and even the Shia Muslims, rejecting any elections under the US military administration.