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preparations for a democratic Iraqi government were under way. Iraqi schools, hospitals, police, and utility systems would operate under the direction of U.S. ministers. The United States intended to pay the salaries of Iraqi government officials and provide funds to keep government ministries operating. The first step was an intense humanitarian effort to distribute food, water, and medicine. Initially, food would be provided by the United States, although the U.N. World Food Program was expected to oversee the national distribution network. A retired U.S. Army general, Jay M. Garner, was selected to oversee the humanitarian aid program and the interim government. On April 28, 2003, Garner met with approximately 250 Iraqi political, economic, and religious leaders to discuss the shape of the new government of Iraq. The date was significant—it was the 66th birthday of Saddam Hussein, which until his overthrow had been a national holiday. “Today on the birthday of Saddam Hussein let us start the democratic process for the children of Iraq,” Garner told the assembled Iraqi leaders, exhorting them to accept the responsibility of rebuilding their war-torn country. With the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, groups that had long been suppressed, such as Shiites and Kurds, looked forward to gaining power in Iraq. However, as the United States promised to work toward building democracy in Iraq, it also warned Iraq’s neighbors not to interfere with the reconstruction of the country.

Words to Understand in This Chapter

caliph—an Arabic word meaning “successor,” and traditionally denoting the successor to Muhammad as head of the Islamic community. industrialized—having many manufacturing and industrial businesses.