Iraqi Interim Government Set to Go

On Thursday, (local time) just one day after seizing the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, the U.S. commenced discussion on the establishment of the Iraqi interim government to find a way out of the current anarchic situation as it now stands.

As the first measure to establish the Iraqi interim government, a meeting of Iraqi dissidents and local leaders is scheduled to be held, said State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher. Retired U.S. Gen. James Garner, who has been appointed as head of the interim administration, 14 Iraqi exiles and 29 leaders of Iraq will attend the meeting. It is expected to be held sometime after April 12.

This is the first of a series of meetings to be held before the meeting in which the Iraqi interim government will be constituted, said U.S. officials. The BBC and other British media reported that the U.S. and Britain drew up a 3-phase plan: military administration, interim government establishment, and formation of a constituent assembly.

The military administration will be led by the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) headed by retired Gen. Garner, with 3 months for the interim government, and then 9 months for the assembly of constituents with the goal of long-term establishment, reported the Financial Times.

Ahmed Chalabi, leader of the previously exiled Iraqi National Congress demanded, “Where is General Garner now?” He was urging Garner`s group to enter Iraq quickly and help restore law and order as well as bring humanitarian aid to his suffering people.

Russia, France and Germany will hold a three nation summit in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday. As the 3 nations are expected to discuss their rationale on why the U.N. should govern post-war Iraq, diplomatic conflict is expected to ensue.

Meanwhile, Baghdad citizens had their most quiet night since the outbreak of war as U.S. forces are now a strong presence in Baghdad. They suffered from fears of looting on Thursday.

The fighting is far from over though, as around 4000 Moslem enlistees not giving in their fight against the U.S. showed resistance in several places of the city resulting in sporadic battles.

U.S. and British coalition forces air raided President Hussein`s hometown Tikrit, north of Iraq. This is assumed to be the last bastion for the Saddam Hussein regime. Caim, a city bordering Syria, was also attacked to prevent Saddam`s escape into the neighboring country.

Coalition forces have so far seized 60% of Iraq`s territory but there still remains some Iraqi resistance in Tikrit, Mosul, and Kirkuk.

President Bush responds with caution saying, “War is not over yet.”

Eun-Taek Hong euntack@donga.com