Topic 1

            According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the recognized occupying power in Iraq, [1] will dissolve on June 30, and an interim Iraqi government will begin to exercise Iraqi sovereignty. [2]   The United States, however, has repeatedly stated that its troops will remain in Iraq after the handover, pursuant to an expected request by the Iraqi government.  Given the questions surrounding the legitimacy of any Iraqi government, what would be the legal status of such a request?

 

            On June 30, 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq is scheduled to dissolve, with sovereign power to be turned over to a transitional Iraqi Administration.  More than 100,000 Coalition forces will remain in the country with their legal status very much in doubt unless steps are taken to clarify the situation.