As Iraq's foreign minister is set to address the UN security council Thursday, the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has confirmed that the interim Iraqi government will not have the power to veto decisions made by the US military when it takes over from occupation forces on June 30.
In a televised interview with Middle East Broadcasting Wednesday, Powell said the nearly 140,000 US soldiers will remain under US command.
"You can't use the word 'veto'" to describe Iraq's authority, he said. "There could be a situation where we have to act and there may be a disagreement."
However, he said the US and Iraq will operate as partners and "work out the necessary arrangements" between US and Iraqi forces.
"Hopefully, it will always be with the agreement and understanding of the Iraqi interim government," he said. "I don't expect that we will run into any problems."
Meanwhile, Iraq's most important Shiite cleric gave his tacit endorsement to the new interim government Thursday, and called on it to lobby the U.N. Security Council for full sovereignty to erase "all traces" of the American-run occupation.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani said that the new government lacks the "legitimacy of elections" and does not represent "in an acceptable manner all segments of Iraqi society and political forces."
"Nevertheless, it is hoped that this government will prove its efficiency and integrity and show resolve to implement the enormous tasks that rest on its shoulders," al-Sistani said in a statement released by his office and quoted by news agencies.
With the new government set to take over in weeks, al-Sistani said the main missions were to secure Iraq's sovereignty, relieve the suffering of its people, restore security and prepare for the January elections.
"The new government should get a clear resolution from the U.N. Security Council restoring sovereignty to Iraqis - a full and complete sovereignty in all its political, economic, military and security forms and endeavor to erase all traces of the occupation," al-Sistani's statement said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
