U.S.-Picked Iraqi Council Wants to Stay

U.S.-Picked Iraqi Council Wants to Stay
By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - An expanded Governing Council should appoint and oversee the work of a caretaker government due to take over from the U.S.-led occupation June 30, the U.S.-picked body said Saturday.

The statement by the council was the clearest sign yet of significant differences between the Iraqi administration and U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi over the best way to establish a transitional government to take power June 30 until elections the following January.

Brahimi, who arrived Thursday to help set up the new government, had proposed an administration with limited powers and made up of Iraqis without ties to established parties. Brhaimi's plan would eliminate key members of the 25-member council.

Several council members have privately said that the body was divided over the best way forward, pointing out that those who wished to see the council still in existence beyond June 30 represented one of several factions.

Last month, Brahimi proposed dissolving the council and naming a caretaker government of "men and women known for their honesty, integrity and competence" to serve from June 30, when limited sovereignty will be restored to Iraqis, until a general election held by Jan. 31. He also suggested a prime minister, a president and two vice presidents be appointed.

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Especially after the last week's revelations and more to come. They are too closely linked to the occupation.

Bremer does. Sistani refuses to meet with Bremer and will only communicate with Brahimi.