Free, sovereign Iraq faces challenge from terrorists

The transfer of sovereignty from the U.S.-led coalition to an interim Iraqi government two days early was prompted by the recent stepped up campaign of car bombings, kidnappings and other violence by militants. Hundreds of Iraqis have been killed. That reality cast a pall over what the country's new president, Ghazi Al-Yawer, called "a historical day ... a day that all Iraqis have been looking forward to."
But there were hopeful signs as Al-Yawer and the new interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, were sworn in Monday. For one thing, the early transfer caught insurgents off guard and deprived them of coordinated attacks to sabotage the move toward democracy. For another, NATO leaders meeting in Istanbul agreed to help train Iraq's armed forces and said they would urgently consider "further proposals to support the nascent Iraqi security institutions."
Finally, President Bush, who is attending the two-day NATO summit, made it clear that the enemies of freedom will not succeed.
"The terrorists are doing all they can to stop the rise of a free Iraq," the president said. "But their bombs and attacks have not prevented Iraqi sovereignty. And they will not prevent Iraqi democracy. Iraqi sovereignty is a tribute to the will of the Iraqi people and the courage of Iraqi leaders."
Coalition forces
Bush also had high praise for the coalition forces that toppled the regime of brutal dictator Saddam Hussein 15 months ago, and since then have had to confront a well-armed militia of foreign terrorists and Saddam loyalists. More than 800 American and 50 British soldiers have been killed in Iraq.
"They've all given their lives in the cause of trying to give a better and different future to the people of Iraq," said British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is facing increasing criticism at home for his perceived fealty to Bush.
But even critics of the decision to invade Iraq in March 2003 must acknowledge that the toppling of Saddam -- he is in American custody and is expected to be handed over to the Iraqis for trial -- and the inclusion of all ethnic groups in the interim government are positive developments in that troubled part of the world. Such advance to democracy can be a beacon to other Middle Eastern countries caught in a time-warp of dictatorial governance.
That said, the Iraqi interim government faces an enormous challenge from terrorists who are bent on throwing the country into chaos. The sooner Iraqis are trained for the armed forces, the better.
While the United States, Britain and other coalition partners have pledged to maintain their troop levels through next year, at least, the continued presence of foreigners will play into the hands of extremists who argue that a puppet government has been put in place to cover up the fact that the occupation continues.
Sooner rather than later, coalition troops should be replaced with a true multinational peacekeeping force under the umbrella of the United Nations. Such a move would remove the U.S. as a flashpoint for the foreign terrorists and Saddam loyalists who have shown an ability to whip up public sentiment.
Monday's transfer of sovereignty is an important first step toward a democratically elected government. But whether elections are held in January 2005 depends on how quickly the enemies of freedom are destroyed.