"Full Sovereignty for Iraq on June 30"

I guess you see full sov. as either being evidenced by a pull-out of US/coalition forces, or handing the keys to US/coalition troops to Iraq.

Hard to reconcile them with what?

A pull out of troops is NOT necessary. You could have a division of french soldiers down the block from you and that would be fine. But not if your community courts couldn't put them on trial for breaking the laws of your community. Not if it had been mandated that your neighborhood would be under the control of a French 'advisor'. Ya get me????

Iraq Gov't Must Abide by U.S. - Made Laws

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The U.S. led-coalition, facing a Wednesday deadline to hand back power, has put in place major legal revisions that would force Iraqis to get drivers' licenses, obey traffic laws, ban certain people from holding office and place American contractors above the law.

Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish politician and member of the disbanded U.S.-picked Governing Council, said he thinks the Americans began pushing the flurry of laws once it became clear the occupation would be cut short. Washington's earlier plans, he said, called for a longer occupation that would have allowed Iraq's constitution to be written under U.S. watch.

Iraq handover of power begins today
28/06/2004 - 07:02:13

The transfer of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government is being speeded up from the existing June 30 deadline, the country's foreign minister said today following NATO summit talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Blair did not immediately confirm the switch but said a formal announcement would be made "a little bit later".

That could come after talks between Mr Blair and US President George Bush this afternoon in Istanbul, where they are attending the NATO summit of 26 heads of state and government.

Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters after his talks: "We will challenge these elements in Iraq, the anti-democratic elements, by even bringing the handover of sovereignty before June 30 as a sign we are ready for it."

Asked about the change of date Mr Blair replied: "I think you will have to wait for an announcement on that a little bit later."

Mr Blair did, however, stress the readiness of the interim administration in Baghdad, led by prime minister Ayad Allawi, to take control of the country.

Asked again about speeding up the handover, Mr Blair told reporters: "I'm not actually in a position right at this moment to confirm that, but the important thing is to understand that the will of the whole international community now is with Iraq as it takes control of its own destiny.

"We are there to help and support from now on."

Mr Zebari did not specify when exactly the handover would take place, but it is expected to happen swiftly.

Earlier, after his breakfast talks with the Iraqi foreign and defence ministers, Mr Blair paid tribute "to their courage".

Mr Blair said: "These are two people who are engaged in an immensely important struggle not just on behalf of Iraq, but I believe the whole region and the wider world."

Well, if nothing else, the June 30 date is out the window. Of course the practical effect of The Handover remains to be seen, and of course there will be ranting and railing from The Usual Sources that its a puppet government. I think nonetheless today's development makes it a bit harder for US opponents to continue to turn their backs to the Iraqi People.

The low-key ceremony was over before it was announced and came as a surprise to ordinary Iraqis. Its hurried and furtive nature appeared to reflect fears that guerrillas could stage a spectacular attack on the scheduled date of June 30.

Noun 1. puppet government - a government that is appointed by and whose affairs are directed by an outside authority that may impose hardships on those governed

The Usual Sources