WORLD NEWS

 

April 15, 2003

 

What´s Next in Iraq?

 

Leaders from all over the world come together to discuss a new Iraqi government

 

Plans are underway to form a new government in Iraq. On Tuesday, Iraqi political and religious leaders met with officials from the United States, Britain, Australia and Poland. The meeting, organized by U.S. leaders, was held in the ancient Iraqi city of Ur.

 

Meeting to Build a Future

 

"A free and democratic Iraq will begin today," Jay Garner, a retired U.S. general leading the effort to rebuild Iraq said as the meeting began. Garner is leading the effort to reestablish order in Iraq. He will help Iraqis put a temporary government into place.

 

Participants in the meeting included members from three large ethnic and religious groups of Iraqis: Kurds, Sunni Muslim Arabs and Shiite Muslim Arabs. No single leader from any of the three groups has all the support of Iraqis in this deeply divided country.

 

Despite the divisions, participants did agree that a new Iraq must be democratic and that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's Baath party should no longer exist. The meeting ended with an agreement to meet again in 10 days to discuss forming a temporary government.

 

Protesters Speak Out

 

Some Iraqi groups are angry at U.S. efforts to establish a new government in their country. In the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya, thousands of Iraqis protested that they did not need American help now that Saddam is no longer in power. "No to America and no to Saddam!" many demonstrators shouted.

 

Although U.S. officials say they have "absolutely no interest" in ruling Iraq, Iraqis and others worry that the U.S. will play too large of a role in a new government. Many European countries believe that the United Nations should play a leading role in Iraq's transition to a new government.

 

Danger Remains in Iraq

 

In Washington D.C., meanwhile, President Bush said the war in Iraq is not over and some cities and towns still face dangerous fighting and lawlessness. Still, military leaders say the worst fighting has passed and the U.S. is now focused on helping to build a democracy in Iraq and finding any hidden dangerous weapons there.

 

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/news/story/0,6260,443952,00.html