Human Rights Watch: No "Sovereignty Lite" in Iraq

[Jack Rabbit]

Press release from Human Rights Watch
Dateline New York Tuesday May 24

Iraq: No "Sovereignty Lite"
U.S., Britain Still Responsible for Security After June 30

The United States and Britain will retain ultimate responsibility for security and human rights in Iraq following the proposed “transfer of sovereignty” on June 30, Human Rights Watch said today. U.S. President George W. Bush is expected to announce today his plan for an interim Iraqi government until elections can be held next year.
Statements by the Bush administration and the Coalition Provisional Authority have indicated that the proposed transitional government will not have full authority to govern Iraq. The United States will continue to have final say on matters of Iraqi security. The interim Iraqi government also will not be able to enact new legislation or overturn laws imposed during the occupation.
“There is no such thing as ‘sovereignty lite,’” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, “Being sovereign is like being pregnant, you either are or you aren’t. If the new Iraqi government doesn’t have ultimate authority and responsibility for the security of the Iraqi people, then it is not truly sovereign.”

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We need to stress the Orwellian use of the word sovereignty coming from the Bushies in regards to Iraq.