For Iraqi terrorists, a June surprise

The United States handed sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government two days earlier than expected Monday, aiming to forestall guerrilla attacks with a surprise ceremony formally ending 14 months of occupation.

Iraq's outgoing U.S. governor Paul Bremer handed a letter to Iraq leaders sealing the formal transfer of powers before flying out of the country. The low-key ceremony was over before it was announced and before ordinary Iraqis were aware of it.

At a second ceremony in the afternoon -- this time broadcast live on Iraqi television -- the government was sworn in.

  Reuters article

Progress as promised.

Thanks to the great humanitarian concern of the United States, Iraq is now a free and fully sovereign country, as the UN has announced. Except that we still have over 100,000 soldiers there, and that we still have the final word on where their oil goes, and that we can still arrest their citizens, and that the government can't make long-term policy decisions. Other than that.

Champagne all 'round.

Pip, pip, Hooray!!

Well done.

Mission accomplished.

U.S. and British officials say the handover is a key step on the path to democracy in Iraq, but one of the government's first actions as a sovereign power is expected to be the imposition of emergency laws, including curfews, to crack down on guerrillas.

...Allawi said after the handover that he was committed to holding elections in January as scheduled. Last week he was quoted as saying insecurity might force the polls to be postponed until February or March.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.