Posted by IRAQ on 28/6/2004, 17:22:14 NATO SUMMIT NATO promises help for Iraqi military (Istanbul, Turkey-AP) -- Now that a new Iraqi government is in place -- NATO leaders are ready to help train that country's armed forces. The commitment from leaders meeting in Turkey came hours after the swearing-in of the interim government in Baghdad. Alliance leaders have also agreed to boost the Afghan peacekeeping force to ten-thousand before that country's elections. Officials say the expansion will include four more permanent peacekeeping teams deployed in northern cities. I RAQ-SOVEREIGNTY: SURPRISE Many caught off-guard by accelerated transfer of power in Iraq (Baghdad, Iraq-AP) -- Sources say former U-S administrator Paul Bremer and Iraq's interim prime minister made the decision just yesterday to speed-up the transfer of power. It initially had been scheduled for Wednesday. Officials were able to keep the new date a well-guarded secret. Journalists were summoned to a simple briefing in Baghdad, but soon realized something big was about to take place. Once coalition officials told them the handover of power was imminent, reporters' cells phones were confiscated, and the journalists were virtually locked into the room. Even most world leaders were left in the dark. French President Jacques Chirac's (zhahk shih-RAHKZ') office says they just found out this morning. While many speculate the timing was accelerated to prevent insurgent attacks, a senior U-S military official says that wasn't a direct factor. IRAQ-SOVEREIGNTY: IRAQIS Quiet response in Baghdad to the restoration of power (Baghdad, Iraq-AP) -- The streets of Baghdad are nearly empty today and the sound of celebratory gunfire is nowhere to be heard. People in Iraq's capital are expressing only guarded optimism over the early restoration of power, along with fears of more terrorist strikes ahead. One local artist tries to explain the muted reaction. He says, "Iraqis are happy inside, but their happiness is marred by fear and melancholy" over the U-S occupation. A retired teacher says they'll be happy when security prevails and when the U-S troops leave. One mother says there's no difference, adding, "As long as I see American soldiers in front of me, there is no reason to celebrate." IRAQ-WORLD REACTION Most world leaders welcome news of early transfer of power (London-AP) -- Most world leaders are welcoming the surprise news of the early transfer of power in Iraq today, but few expect it will bring an end to the escalating violence there. Both supporters and opponents of the war say they wish the new administration well as it faces major challenges in the months ahead. Poland has been a staunch supporter of the war effort. That country's deputy defense minister said that the new government's taking of responsibility "is very good." Opponents of the war -- France and Germany -- are also hailing the transfer as a very important milestone in the move toward a self-ruling Iraq. The Philippines is congratulating the new Iraqi government. Russian and Syrian analysts are not as optimistic however, saying the transfer won't change anything, and violence will continue to increase.
Interim government takes over, two days early
(Baghdad, Iraq-AP) --Iraq's interim government has been sworn in, just hours after a small ceremony to restore the country's sovereignty. The transfer came two days early, and apparently caught insurgents off guard. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi (EE'-yahd ah-LAH'-wee) warns the insurgents that those who fight against Islam will be crushed. Allawi, standing in front of a row of Iraqi flags, is appealing for an end to the attacks targeting police and security forces. He says they no longer belong to Saddam Hussein, and they are "our brothers and our sons." While delivering a sweeping speech outlining his goals for the country, the prime minister also told the Iraqi people they don't need to fear the outlaws fighting against fellow Muslims. He says, "God is with us."
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