1115.org

“The Iraqi people have their country back”, proclaimed George W. Bush in response to yesterday’s transfer of sovereignty to Iraq’s interim government. Well, not really. While it’s true that Paul Bremer is no longer calling the shots, it’s hard to call Iraq truly “sovereign” when we are still pulling so many strings:

• The multinational force in Iraq remains under U.S. control.

• from the New York Times: “But even now, it is unclear how much control his government will exercise, particularly over the 160,000 troops from the United States, Britain and other countries that will remain here, or even over Iraq’s own army and police force” (emphasis added)

• The Iraqi government does not have the right to impose martial law, which is reserved by the U.S.-led coalition.

• For the next two years, Iraq’s armed forces will be forced to purchase weapons through an exclusive contract (with American firm called Anham Joint Venture) set up by the occupation authorities.

• American troops will be immune from prosecution by Iraqi courts “for killing Iraqis or destroying local property after the occupation ends and sovereignty returns”

• And, of course, there are the contracts to rebuild Iraq—which the American government famously gave to companies like Halliburton without any sort of bidding process. Does anyone think the new Iraqi government has a say in the rebuilding of their own country? It will be tough, since the United States will be controlling the pursestrings.

While this transfer of sovereignty is an important symbolic measure, anyone who thinks that the United States is going to simply pack up and go home is sorely mistaken. Iraq might have a government, but it’s playing by our rules and following our lead….which kind of contradicts the “freedom” that we are supposed to be handing them. At least it was worth a few good PR moments, such as the oh-so-spontaneous note (click here to see the original, un-doctored version) between Condi and W that somehow fell into the hands of the Associated Press. Let freedom reign? Maybe. Eventually. Hopefully. But certainly not now.

(Some links sourced from Billmon.)