Countdown to US Handover of Power Begins in Iraq

Laurie Kassman

The top U.S. administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer has marked the start of a 100-day countdown (倒计时) to the hand-over of power to a provisional government by announcing the establishment of new institutions to fight corruption and safeguard national security（维护国家安全）. U.S. administrator also looked back on（回顾） the past year and what has been accomplished toward Iraq's reconstruction.

Speaking to a selected audience in Baghdad, U.S. administrator Bremer talked about how much electricity had been restored, how many schools reopened and what other public services have been re-established.

Mr. Bremer also stressed the significance of Iraq's reappearance on the world political stage（国际政治舞台） and in sports, with athletes set to compete in the Olympics.

Mr. Bremer said the U.S.-appointed Governing Council's 25 members should be thanked for their work on the basic law that sets the groundwork for（奠定了基础） Iraqi sovereignty on June 30. The new provisional government will take charge of (负责) writing a more permanent constitution and preparing for elections.

"Iraq is now on the path to（在……道路上） a full democracy in a united state at peace with its neighbors."

Mr. Bremer also pledged more efforts on security. Drive-by shootings, bombings and mortar attacks（用迫击炮袭击） against coalition forces, Iraqi police, foreign contractors and ordinary Iraqis working with foreigners have claimed hundreds of victims during the past several months.

"Iraq's security is the first concern of Iraqi citizens, we hear it every day, and the top priority（给予优先考虑的事） of the coalition, to assure that Iraq has the structures necessary to do so I will formally create a new Iraqi Ministry of Defense and a cabinet-level national security committee later this week."

Iraqis have criticized the US decision to dissolve Iraq’s 400,000 strong army and security force last year on the grounds it would fuel more violence by disgruntled（不满的） unemployed soldiers.

Another top concern is rampant corruption (到处蔓延的腐败现象). Mr. Bremer has announced the creation of three independent agencies to deal with the issue, including a corps of inspectors and auditors for government ministries.

The top U.S. administrator says he will set up an independent agency to govern public broadcasting services as a way to protect the independence of Iraq's media.

The new measures are part of the coalition's effort to help Iraqi leaders prepare during the next three-and-a-half months to take control of governing the country.

"In 100 days from now, Iraqis will be sovereign（独立自主） in their own land and responsible for（对……负责） their own future."

The U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist in 100 days. But Mr. Bremer insisted the coalition members remain committed to（仍致力于） continuing their assistance in reconstruction and security programs.