7bfd3f299e868210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRDapproved/thenational/Articles/Migration/2009-Q3Iraqis in control of their own destiny6bfd3f299e868210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____More than a week of bombings by insurgents appeared to do little to deter Iraqis from celebrating the United States's withdrawal yesterday from the country's urban areas.<p>More than a week of bombings by insurgents appeared to do little to deter Iraqis from celebrating the United States's withdrawal yesterday from the country's urban areas. Thousands attended a concert at the Baghdad zoo and saw firework displays. What is significant is that while many ordinary Iraqis took to the streets in celebration, they were protected by the nation's own domestic security forces: it is on them, not the Americans, that the burden of civil protection now falls.</p> <p>While Iraq must now take the lead role in ensuring its own security and stability, the US is not leaving the country entirely to fend for itself. Iraq is no Vietnam, and this is no April 30, 1975, when the last Americans beat a hasty and ignominious helicopter retreat from the roof of their embassy as the North Vietnamese army pounded at the gates of Saigon.The US is not leaving Iraq, merely its cities. A majority of the 140,000 US troops will remain until the final deadline for withdrawal in 2011.</p> <p>It is unclear, and will probably remain so for some time, whether Iraq's army and police are capable of defending the nation from its enemies. They will continue to be supported by US air and ground forces a phone call away. This has been the case since the beginning of the year, when the Status of Forces agreement was implemented. Under the agreement, Iraqi forces have taken the lead, and US operations require prior approval from the Iraqi government. With Iraq already having been handed formal responsibility for its own security, the key difference will be in appearances: no longer will US troops be the most visible security force on the country's streets. But appearances count. It will be to the nation's army and police that Iraqis turn to keep them safe, not the US.</p> <p>Judging by the elation of the revellers, most Iraqis want to rebuild their nation, free of foreign troops and influences. Yesterday was a celebration of Iraqi sovereignty and nationalism. Both Iraq's sovereignty and national unity will be achieved by the work of individual Iraqis and their own security forces. Let June 30, 2009, be remembered as the day Iraqis took the first major step towards realising their goals.</p> 84YYOPINION2009070100000020090701000000100ARhttp://adedit.ad.atl.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090701/OPINION/706309884570630988420090701100000000