Interview on NPR with Renee Montagne

MS. MONTAGNE: The United States has transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government today, two days ahead of schedule. The handover occurred during a small ceremony, and Paul Bremer, the now former American administrator there, has already left the country.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage joins me now from his office at the State Department. Good morning.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Good morning, Ms. Montagne.

MS. MONTAGNE: Why, precisely, was the decision made to transfer sovereignty early?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: The Iraqis, particularly the prime minister, indicated that they were ready for it. It had a subsidiary benefit, we thought, of perhaps somehow confusing the plans, or what we believe are plans, to disrupt the proceedings by the anti-coalition militants.

MS. MONTAGNE: Did the U.S. have specific information about attacks?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, my colleagues and I have been testifying on Capitol Hill for the past week saying we firmly expected it. And there was a spike yesterday, we believe, a spike that would continue over the next several days.

MS. MONTAGNE: Right, of course, that was a big date much played on the media, so a good target, I would suppose, too.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, that was our feeling.

MS. MONTAGNE: The Administration has said repeatedly that the insurgency will continue even after this transfer of power. What effect will this new Iraqi government have on the violence, do you think?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, I think it's quite clear now that those who are fighting against -- formally fighting against the coalition in Iraq are now fighting against an Iraq government and Iraqis themselves. And we're making a bet, the coalition members are making a bet that Iraqis will fight for Iraq, or they may be somewhat less inclined to fight for coalition forces.

MS. MONTAGNE: And what role will U.S. troops play in this upcoming dispensation?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: We'll play the role of partner to the new Iraqi government and their security forces and work hand-in-glove with them to bring about a betterment of that scary situation.

MS. MONTAGNE: And they will be under American control, of course.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, all of our forces will absolutely be under American control. Iraqi forces can opt to, for specific purposes, be under the multinational force commander or separately.

MS. MONTAGNE: The Pentagon had been in charge of Iraq policy. Now the State Department and the new U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte is taking the lead for the U.S. Government. Does that mean that Secretary Powell will have more influence on issues over there?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, the nature of question indicates that he doesn't have influence and I would suggest that's not quite the case. But clearly, the Department of State is taking the lead now. We will be the dominant voice.

MS. MONTAGNE: And when does Ambassador John Negroponte arrive? I mean, begin take up his, you know, his duties today?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Probably not today. We want a little space between Mr. Bremer's departure and John's arrival, because we want to make the point that John Negroponte is not Jerry Bremer II, that the CPA, the former sovereign has gone away, and John Negroponte will be the first ambassador from the United States to the new Iraq.

MS. MONTAGNE: I'm just curious, what other countries knew of the handover, that it would be early, that is, a couple of days?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Secretary Powell and his colleagues who were in Istanbul were making calls last night to all of the coalition members, the foreign ministers and the defense ministers, to let them know we had had extensive discussions for the last two days with our British allies on this whole matter, and, of course, with the Iraqis.

MS. MONTAGNE: Thanks very much.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Thank you, Ms. Montagne.

MS. MONTAGNE: Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.
2004/721