Bush Signs Order Giving State Lead Role in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department will take over the lead role for most U.S. operations in Iraq from the Pentagon after the transfer of sovereignty on June 30, according to an order signed by President Bush this week.
The executive order, called a national security presidential directive, was signed by the president on Tuesday but has not yet been released publicly, government sources who have seen the document said on Thursday.
Officials said the order seemed to put to rest a power struggle between the State Department and the Pentagon over who should lead U.S. government operations in Iraq after June 30 when the Coalition Provisional Authority ceases to exist and limited powers are given to the Iraqis.
The order said when the CPA's role ended, the United States would be represented in Iraq by a chief of mission under the guidance of the State Department who would be responsible for the direction, coordination and supervision of all U.S. government employees, policies and activities in the country.
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