On July 13, 2003, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) appointed the twenty-five-member Interim Governing Council to work with the CPA for the transition to Iraqi sovereignty. The following document outlines the agreement for the process of transition to a new Iraqi government.

1. The "Fundamental Law"

• To be drafted by the Governing Council [GC], in close consultation with the CPA [Coalition Provisional Authority]. Will be approved by both the GC and CPA, and will formally set forth the scope and structure of the sovereign Iraqi transitional administration.

• Elements of the "Fundamental Law":

• Bill of rights, to include freedom of speech, legislature, religion; statement of equal rights of all Iraqis, regardless of gender, sect, and ethnicity; and guarantees of due process.

• Federal arrangement for Iraq, to include governorates and the separation and specification of powers to be exercised by central and local entities.

• Statement of the independence...