BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S.-led coalition announced the appointment of an Iraqi defense minister and chief of national intelligence yesterday, less than three months before the United States turns over political power to Iraqis.
Ali Allawi, the interim trade minister, will become defense minister. It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Allawi would continue to hold the trade ministry portfolio.
L. Paul Bremer, the coalition’s administrator, said Mr. Allawi was one of those who “rejected” Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party.
The coalition also announced the appointment of Muhammad al-Shehwani as head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service.
“These organizations will give Iraqis the means to defend their country against terrorists and insurgents,” Mr. Bremer said at a press conference.
Mr. al-Shehwani, a former Iraqi air force officer and regional pole-vaulting champion, fled Iraq in 1990. Attempts by Saddam to force him to return, including executing three of his sons, failed.
Mr. Bremer said both the ministry and the intelligence body will be open to public scrutiny. The intelligence service will not have the power to arrest people and will not be allowed to intervene in politics.
The coalition announced the formation of the Defense Ministry last month, nearly 10 months after it dissolved Saddam’s entire security and defense apparatus.
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