Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 09/03/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= IRAQ CABINET (L)

NUMBER=2-307104

BYLINE= SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE= BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Iraqi Governing Council has sworn in the

country's first ministerial cabinet since the fall of

Saddam Hussein -- urging it to help restore stability

and prosperity to the country. Correspondent Scott

Bobb reports from Baghdad that the event took place as

U-S military commanders transferred security

responsibilities in the Najaf area to an international

force led by Poland.

TEXT: A senior leader of the Iraqi Governing Council,

Ibrahim Jafari, Wednesday swore in the 25-member Iraqi

cabinet.

///JAFARI ACT. IN ARABIC, IN AND UNDER///

In his remarks, Mr. Jafari urged the ministers to work

diligently for the good of the people, that security

may prevail in all of Iraq and the standard of living

may rise in accordance with the country's wealth.

The cabinet reflects the sectarian and ethnic make-up

of the Iraqi population. It includes 13 Shiite Muslim

ministers, five Sunni Muslims, five Kurds, one

Turkoman and one Christian.

///OPT/// The cabinet includes several newly created

ministries. Iraq's new minister for human rights,

Abdul Basset Turki, took his oath, with English

translation for the foreign dignitaries.

///OPTIONAL TURKI ACT IN ARABIC WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION///

I swear by Almighty Allah to devote my utmost, to

serve and to protect Iraq, its people, land and

sovereignty. And Allah is my witness.

///END OPTIONAL ACTUALITY///

The head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Paul

Bremer, told reporters before the ceremony (eds:

Tuesday) that the ministers will answer to the Iraqi

Governing Council and not to the foreign advisors he

has appointed.

///BREMER ACTUALITY///

The governing council supervises the ministers. This

is an important step forward, as I said, it's a very

important step on the path to a fully sovereign Iraqi

government. The ministers will have full executive

authority and they are responsible to the governing

council.

/// END ACTUALITY///

However coalition officials say that the ministers

will consult with the coalition-advisors on policy and

strategic matters.

In a separate development, U-S military commanders

Wednesday handed over responsibility for security in

central Iraq's Najaf region to an international force

led by Poland. But they say patrols by U-S Marines

will continue in Najaf city for several weeks.

Tensions in Najaf are still running high, five days

after a bomb attack killed more than 80 people at the

Imam Ali mosque in Najaf -- including a senior Shiite

Muslim leader, Ayatollah Mohamed Baqir Hakim.

Tens of thousands of mourners Tuesday attended the

Ayatollah's burial in Najaf. Many blamed loyalists of

the deposed Saddam Hussein regime for the attack.

Others said they hold the American-led coalition forces

responsible because these are supposed to maintain

security in the country. Iraqi police say they have

arrested more than a dozen people, including several

non-Iraqis, in connection with the attack. (signed)

Neb/sb/wd