Dr. Allawi was chosen several weeks ago, in a process endorsed by the United Nations, as Iraq's interim prime minister. But nobody, including Bush administration officials, can seriously believe that Dr. Allawi and his cabinet are now in any position to run Iraq and prepare it for democratic elections.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/29/opinion/29TUE2.html

Today, the primary military responsibility for fighting the insurgency remains as much in American hands as it did yesterday. It is thus ludicrous for administration officials to suggest that America's occupation of Iraq has now somehow ended.

Dr. Allawi will face the same obstacles, like power-line saboteurs and the lack of trained and reliable Iraqi police officers. He already seems tempted to look for shortcuts — like imposing martial law. Another ominous suggestion attributed to him last week, but since repudiated, was to postpone the elections scheduled for next January.