Rhetoric vs. Reality in Iraq

June 30 handover not exactly 'full sovereignty'
One of America's biggest problems in Iraq is its enormous credibility gap with Iraqis. Unfortunately, President Bush widened that disconnect this week by promising "full sovereignty" to an interim government on June 30. On that date, he declared, "the occupation will end."
Put yourself in the sandals of an Iraqi. Will it look as if the occupation is over and the nation has full control of its affairs when the US plans to keep more than 130,000 troops there? When Washington's ambassador to Baghdad will command the largest US embassy in the world? When US advisers will populate government ministries, and an international body will check on Iraq's use of its oil revenues?
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In truth, what's taking place at the end of next month is the transfer to Iraq of administrative control. With the ill-advised promise already made, however, it seems no alternative remains but to try to come as close to fulfilling it as possible.
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Another area of criticism is that while the handover will pass control of oil to the Iraqis, they will still be under the watchful eye of an international panel, which reportedly includes only one Iraqi. The reason for the supervision is to ensure against any illegalities, but surely there are enough ethical Iraqis who could serve on this board so that it's not dominated by foreigners.
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http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0528/p08s01-comv.html

Vague and mild critique of the 30 June "hand-over": I'd guess this is where many people are psychologically.