Baghdad, 21 February 2004 (RFE/RL) -- L. Paul Bremer, the top U.S. administrator in Iraq, says it will not be possible to hold elections for at least one year in Iraq.
Bremer's remarks were shown today in an interview he made with the Arabic-language television channel Al-Arabiyah. It was not immediately clear when Bremer made the interview with the Dubai-based station.
Bremer said 12-to-15 months are needed to resolve "technical problems" that include a lack of an election law or current voter registration lists in Iraq.
The broadcast came one day after the White House said it is considering a variety of proposals for the United States to transfer power to a representative transitional Iraqi government by the planned date of 30 June.
The White House says it is awaiting recommendations on the process from the United Nations. On 19 February, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said elections -- as demanded by leaders of Iraq's Shi'ite majority -- can not be properly organized by the end of June.
Bremer said 12-to-15 months are needed to resolve "technical problems" that include a lack of an election law or current voter registration lists in Iraq.
The broadcast came one day after the White House said it is considering a variety of proposals for the United States to transfer power to a representative transitional Iraqi government by the planned date of 30 June.
The White House says it is awaiting recommendations on the process from the United Nations. On 19 February, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said elections -- as demanded by leaders of Iraq's Shi'ite majority -- can not be properly organized by the end of June.