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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.
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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.
Words to Understand in This Chapter