Editorial: Toward Iraqi Sovereignty

This is the official view of the U.S. government. Terrorists and remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime are trying to prevent the emergence of a self-governing Iraq. However, this will not happen. The U.S.-led coalition will hand over sovereignty to a provisional Iraqi government on June 30, and according to President Bush, Iraqis will vote in nationwide elections no later than January of next year. While the enemy will continue to spread violence and terror, our coalition will work in full partnership with the new Iraqi government to provide the security necessary for the elections. In that voting, the people of Iraq will elect representatives to a transitional parliament, which will be freely chosen for the first time in the country's history and will truly represent them. Iraq is moving toward democracy and freedom. President Bush states that the provisional government of Iraq reflects a new leadership that has emerged from a broad spectrum of Iraqis. The new government brings together men and women from diverse backgrounds representing Iraq's ethnic and religious diversity. Five of them are religious officials and six are women, all of whom are patriots committed to building a better future for their country. There is still much work to be done. Those who use terror to undermine freedom in Iraq may continue their malicious attacks. However, the U.S. will support the new Iraqi government in its efforts to secure the country. Hoshyar Zebari, the foreign minister of the provisional government, states that any premature withdrawal of international forces would lead to chaos and a real possibility of civil war. President Bush says that in Iraq and elsewhere, the U.S. faces significant challenges, and more challenges are on the way. President Bush asserts that a free Iraq brings us closer to fulfilling the hopes of millions of Iraqis for a fully sovereign nation with an inclusive government that protects their rights and serves their interests.