Restoration of sovereignty by June 30, 2004

Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority Paul Bremer and President of the Iraqi Governing Council Jalal Talibani issued a statement to the Iraqi people December 1 saying that their sovereignty will be restored by June 30, 2004, in the form of a Transitional Iraqi Government.

A permanent government chosen through direct national elections will replace the transitional government by the end of 2005 after a new permanent constitution has been drafted and ratified, the statement said.

Following is the text of the statement:

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[Coalition Provisional Authority
Iraqi Governing Council
December 1, 2003]

A STATEMENT TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE

The November 15 Agreement signed by the Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority is an historic step.

It provides for Iraqis to choose a new Iraqi Government through direct, national elections by the end of 2005, on the basis of a permanent constitution.

It provides for a new constitution drafted by Iraqis, who will be chosen by full direct elections by March 2005.

It restores Iraqi sovereignty and ends the occupation by June 30, 2004.

It allows a Transitional Iraqi Government, chosen by caucuses in each governorate, to assume sovereignty and administer elections to draft a constitution.

It ensures that the Transitional Government will operate under a law, drafted by Iraqis, which will provide basic guarantees of freedom for the Iraqi people.

It provides the Iraqi people an opportunity to participate at every stage of a process that restores your sovereignty and guarantees your freedom.

Jalal Talabani, President, Iraqi Governing Council

L. Paul Bremer, Administrator, Coalition Provisional Authority

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)