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News Analysis

• In further moves to de-Ba'athify Iraq:
  1. The army is disbanded with those below the level of Colonel getting one month's wage in compensation. Those at the level of Colonel and above are banned from ever joining the new Iraqi army.
  2. The Intelligence and Security Apparatus were fully disbanded from the Interior Ministry, which only kept the regular police force. The police force is being given new training and uniform and is joining US troops in raids to restore order.
  3. All Ba'ath Party members are ordered to turn themselves in to US forces.
  While these steps are essential for ridding Iraq of the previous brutal regime, it leaves a sizeable group out of employment and this has the potential to create problems in the future.

• Things are slowly improving in Iraq:
  
  1. Security is getting better as the US increases patrols in the capital.
  2. Electricity is expected to improve soon according to the UN.
  3. Public services are being restored, as civil servants are paid salaries at least 20 times greater than pre-war levels, and locals are being paid to clean the streets and aid in humanitarian work.
  The Pentagon is being criticized for not having done this quicker.

• The controversial Basra Council, which included some Ba'athists, was scrapped after the banning of Ba'athists from public office. This demonstrates the seriousness of the coalition in completely removing the old regime.
  
  
• The Baghdad Conference is delayed till July at the earliest. Several parties continue to emerge in Iraq and the US starts cooperation with local clerics. This possibly indicates a new policy of an increased involvement of leaders from inside the country in running Iraq.