U.N. Envoy Seeks New Iraq Council by Close of May

[kskiska]

UNITED NATIONS, April 27 — The special United Nations envoy for Iraq, offering a speeded-up timetable for the selection of a caretaker government in Baghdad, said Tuesday that the new government should be chosen a full month before sovereignty is transferred on June 30 to give it time to define its authority.

Addressing the Security Council, the envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the month would be necessary for the transitional leaders to reach "crystal-clear understandings" of their relationship to the occupation authority they would replace and to the American military commanders who are to remain in charge of Iraqi security forces.

In his first extensive public comments since outlining his plans for an interim government earlier this month, Mr. Brahimi also said the occupants of the government's top posts should insulate themselves from partisan activity by agreeing not to be candidates in national elections next year.

Although he did not say so specifically, that seemed to rule out a role in the caretaker government for prominent Iraqis now in the American-picked Iraqi Governing Council, including the heads of political parties who are expected to contest the June 2005 elections.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/28/international/middleeast/28NATI.html?hp

[gate of the sun]

1. how about Sadr

I think he would get the people's vote....if he's still alive.

[Earth_First]

2. "crystal-clear understandings"

...in the midst of a war ravaged country. I wouldn't hold your breath.