Iraqi foreign ministry reopened, Bremer: elections next year possible

The US administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, said yesterday that it is possible to organize general elections in Iraq in less than one year. A matter which paves the way before the occupation forces to leave the country.

Bremer said in a celebration during which the Iraqi foreign ministry was reopened in Baghdad that "thnking of making elections in the mid of May 2004 is not unrealistic." Bremer, who recently returned back from a one week mission in the USA added "as soon as a government will be controlling Iraq, the coalition will give it the authority and then my work will be finished." Bremer (61 year old) who assumed his mission in Iraq in May announced that he will retire after the end of his mission in Iraq. He said "This will indicate the end of my work diplomatically, but it means for you, the diplomats of Iraq, you represent a government that enjoys full sovereignty."

He indicated that handing over the Iraqis the authority will be in three phases: the transitional governing council which was composed of 25 members on July 13; the formulation of a constitution; and lastly organizing a referendum on that constitution to be followed by general elections.

During the celebration, Bremer said that the Iraqi foreign ministry, with the exception of providing limited consulate services, will resume its work only after the election of the new Iraqi government.

The ministry's complex which is composed of three buildings was exposed to theft and fire after the war which in April toppled Saddam Hussein. Since then, the ministry's 912 team members were transported temporarily to the building of former protocol administration, while American relief agencies maintained the damages in the other parts. The main building is expected to be renovated by April 2004.