http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031114/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_iraq&cid=540&ncid=716WASHINGTON - U.S. occupiers may begin transferring power back to the Iraqi people at any time, but the speeded-up change in authority doesn't mean American troops will leave the country any sooner, Bush administration officials say.
Condoleezza Rice, said Thursday it was necessary to give Iraqis control more quickly because "they are clamoring for it; they are, we believe, ready for it."
With the U.S. death toll in Iraq approaching 400 and some polls showing increasing criticism of Bush's handling of post-war Iraq, the administration's aim is to accelerate steps toward an Iraqi takeover and an end to the U.S. occupation.