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IT WAS A symbolic event. Two days early (28
June), the US-controlled Coalition Provisional Authority formally handed over to
the ‘sovereign’ interim government headed by prime minister Iyad Allawi. "The
Iraqi people have their own country back", proclaimed Bush (in Istanbul for the
NATO summit).
But the brief handover ceremony took place
within the ‘green zone’, the US security bunker. There were no celebrations on
the streets. On the contrary, attacks on the occupying forces and their Iraqi
auxiliaries intensified. The ‘sovereign’ authority of Allawi’s government rests
entirely on the 145,000 US and other imperialist forces. These forces will
remain under the exclusive control of the US and its allies. According to
general Myers, US chief-of-staff, they will be there for at least another five
years.
‘It’s time to draw a line and move on’, said
Tony Blair in January, as the Hutton report into the death of WMD expert David
Kelly was published. But he can’t, as the June elections demonstrate. CLIVE
HEEMSKERK assesses this biggest test of public opinion since the 2001 general
election.
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The Euro-elections 2004
Arne Johansen analyses the Europe wide results, Alex Rouillard reports on
the setback for the far-left LO/LCR electoral pact, and Tinette Schnatterer
examines moves in Germany towards a new party
New left party in Brazil
Peter Taaffe interviews the Brazilian MP Joao Babatista (Baba), one of the
leaders of the new left Party of Socialism and Liberty
US presidential elections
Philip Locker reports from the USA on Nader's anti-war challenge to Bush and
Kerry
The poisoned cocktail
Bill Hopwood reviews a recent report on the impact of waste incineration on
human health
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