BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq will have a new transitional government with full sovereign powers by the end of June 2004, the Iraqi Governing Council said today, and will have a constitution and a permanent, democratically elected government by the end of 2005.

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A little over a year, not bad for a race of people who have been excluded from running a government for most of there lives.

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The timetable calls for having a full constitution and a permanent government in place by June 2005, council member Ahmed Chalabi told reporters.

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Many members of the Iraqi Governing Council -- as well as some leaders of the U.S. Congress -- have said they want the U.S. military to leave as soon as possible, but the White House said Friday that U.S. troops would remain in Iraq until former President Saddam Hussein is killed or captured.

I believe this is warranted to ensure confidence in the Iraqi people.

SteveS