In Baghdad, Jennings on Iraq Handover

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 28, 2004 -- -- "World News Tonight" anchor Peter Jennings, one of the few journalists who witnessed the low-key ceremony that marked the transfer of power from the U.S.-led coalition to the interim Iraqi government, told ABC News' Charlie Gibson the mood in Baghdad was one of pleasure over regaining their political lives, but concern about the difficult and violent days ahead.

Below is a transcript of the interview on "Good Morning America."

ABC NEWS' Charlie Gibson: We start with the surprise, the early handover in Iraq. Peter Jennings is joining us live from Baghdad this morning. Peter, good morning.

ABC NEWS' Peter Jennings: Charlie, it's symbolic in many ways but also quite meaningful. You could feel it just a little bit here in the Iraqi capital.People pleased in some respects they were going to get their political life and nationalist life back in their own hands.

Gibson: Peter, a quick question. The fact that they did this in a small room ahead of schedule, [is that an] indication that they were very worried that not only would these insurgents or terrorists do something significant on June 30, but might even disrupt the handover itself?

Jennings: Well, I think you could argue that it was intelligent. Either on [interim Iraqi] Prime Minister [Iyad] Allawi's part or a combination of the Iraqis and the U.S. to go two days in advance so somebody doesn't have an advantage to change the subject on June 30th itself.And this morning reflects, I think, his strong personality and his nationistic personality.He said it was time. He knew in advance and the president [President Bush] in the U.S. had been told a couple of days ago that Prime Minister Allawi wanted to go early.

As I said, we know this is a limited authority for the Iraqi people in the ensuing time. Now they have to fight for consensus in elections next year. But I think they felt that it felt good to them.

Gibson: Practically on the street, any meaning to this?

Jennings: Well, I noticed them taking away some barbed wire and taking away obstructions in downtown [Baghdad]. But I would have said that perhaps [that] was symbolic. There's been no apparent violence here today.