Iraq: Transition to Sovereignty (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
July 21, 2004 |
| Report Number |
RS21820 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Kenneth Katzman, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division; and Jennifer Elsea, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Bush Administration had initially made the end of the U.S. occupation contingent on the completion of a new constitution and the holding of national elections for a new government, tasks to be completed by 2005. However, political infighting among Iraq's various ethnic and political factions, coupled with a persistent insurgency, slowed progress on setting up an elected political structure. Amid ongoing insurgency, the United States handed sovereignty to an Iraqi interim government on June 28. The Bush Administration maintains that the handover was a success and will begin a transition to democracy and stability. Critics assert that the handover does not appear to have diminished the anti-U.S. insurgency, threatening the transition roadmap developed by the United States and United Nations. Legal issues may arise regarding the validity of laws issued during the occupation, as well as the status of U.S. troops in Iraq. See CRS Report RL31339, 'Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance'.
