posted on September 18, 2003 11:27:50 PM new
As long as we're here, we are the occupying power. It's a very ugly word, but it's true. L. Paul Bremer, Special Envoy to Iraq
Washington Post Interview
1/1/1900
Some worry that a change of leadership in Iraq could create instability and make the situation worse. The situation could hardly get worse, for world security and for the people of Iraq George W. Bush, President
Cincinnati, Ohio Speech
10/7/2002
If you're looking for a historical analogy, it's probably closer to post-liberation France [after World War II]." Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Interview with Trudy Rubin of the Philidelphia Inquirer
11/17/2002
First-and this is really the overarching principle-the United States seeks to liberate Iraq, not occupy Iraq . . If the President should decide to use force, let me assure you again that the United States would be committed to liberating the people of Iraq, not becoming an occupation force. Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Speech to Iraqi-American Community
2/23/2003
But as soon as possible, we want to have working alongside the commander an interim Iraqi authority, people representing the people of Iraq. And, as that authority grows and gets greater credibility from the people of Iraq, we want to turn over more and more responsibilities to them. Colin Powell
Press Conference
3/26/2003
We will help the Iraqi people to find the benefits and assume the duties of self-government. The form of those institutions will arise from Iraq's own culture and its own choices. George W. Bush, President
Speech at MacDill AFB
3/26/2003
The goal is an Iraq that stands on its own feet and that governs itself in freedom and in unity and with respect for the rights of all its citizens. We'd like to get to that goal as quickly as possible. Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Interview with 60 Minutes II
4/1/2003
I can assure you that we all want to end this as soon as possible, so we can get on with the task of allowing the Iraqi people to form a new government. Colin Powell
Press Conference in Belgrade
4/2/2003
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, could you give us an idea of your views of the interim administration (of Iraq), how quickly it might be set up . . . ? SECRETARY POWELL: We are anxious to move quickly now that the day of liberation is drawing near. I don't know when it will happen. But, certainly, we can see what's going to happen in the not-too-distant future, we hope. Colin Powell
Press Conference
4/4/2003
We will leave Iraq completely in the hands of Iraqis as quickly as possible. Condoleeza Rice
Press Briefing
4/4/2003
We come as an army of liberation, and we want to see the Iraqis running their own affairs as soon as they can. Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Meet the Press
4/6/2003
We want to see a situation where power and responsibility is transferred as quickly as possible to the Iraqis themselves, with as much international assistance as possible . . .We have no desire to occupy Iraq . . . Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee
4/10/2003
After (Gen. Jay Garner) finishes his job of restoring basic services, the interim Iraqi authority will be established. And that interim authority will be an authority of Iraqis, chosen by Iraqis. And it will be able to function as an authority in the country immediately after Gen. Garner's job is finished, which should be only a few weeks. Ahmed Chalabi, Chairman of the Iraqi National Congress
Meet the Press
4/13/2003
The task is to create an environment that is sufficiently permissive that the Iraqi people can fashion a new government. And what they will do is come together in one way or another and select an interim authority of some kind. Then that group will propose a constitution and a more permanent authority of some kind. And over some period of months, the Iraqis will have their government selected by Iraqi people. Donald Rumsfeld
Meet the Press
4/13/2003
I think what we are so proud of is governments which permit their populace to be involved in a process that provides them freedom, provides them liberty. And I think what we will see in the months and years ahead in Iraq will provide a bit of a model for how that can be done . . . . because, Tony, it will be the Iraqi people who decide how to do that, and they will do it on their terms. Gen. Tommy Franks
Fox News Interview
4/13/2003
Soon Iraqis will be able to give us guidance about how to move forward and create an Iraqi interim authority. And that authority will begin to allow Iraqis to have sovereignty over their country and in a way that Iraqis will choose; they will create an Iraqi Government. Marc Grossman, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs
Interview with Free Iraqi Television
4/16/2003
The coalition supports the formation, as soon as possible, of the Iraqi Interim Authority -- a transitional administration, run by Iraqis, until a government is established by the people of Iraq through elections. The Interim Authority should be broad-based and fully representative. Zalmay Khalilzad, Special U.S. Envoy to Iraq
Wall Street Journal op-ed
4/17/2003
The new ruler of Iraq is going to be an Iraqi. I don't rule anything. Gen. Jay Garner
Press Interview
4/21/2003
If you're suggesting, how would we feel about an Iranian-type government with a few clerics running everything in the country, the answer is: That isn't going to happen. Donald Rumsfeld
Interview with Associated Press
4/24/2003
I think you'll begin to see the governmental process start next week, by the end of next week. It will have Iraqi faces on it. It will be governed by the Iraqis. Gen. Jay Garner
Press Conference in Baghdad
4/24/2003
As freedom takes hold in Iraq, the Iraqi people will choose their own leaders and their own government. America has no intention of imposing our form of government or our culture. Yet, we will ensure that all Iraqis have a voice in the new government . . . George W. Bush, President
Speech in Dearborne, Michigan
4/28/2003
By the middle of (this) month, you'll really see a beginning of a nucleus of an Iraqi government with an Iraqi face on it that is dealing with the coalition. Gen. Jay Garner
Press Conference
5/5/2003
Well democracy is about more than majority rule. It’s very much, at least the way we use the term and we insist on the term. That is why I keep saying free and democratic. Democratic tyranny is not something that we could support. And I frankly don’t think that most of the Shia wants a clerical tyranny over them. Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense
CNN Interview
5/6/2003
Soon, Iraqis from every ethnic group will choose members of an interim authority. The people of Iraq are building a free society from the ground up, and they are able to do so because the dictator and his regime are no more. George W. Bush, President
Address at the University of South Carolina
5/9/2003
When Iraqi officials are in a position to shoulder their country's responsibilities, when they have in place the necessary political and other structures to provide food, security and the other necessities, the coalition will have a strong interest in seeing them run their own affairs. Douglas Feith, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
Testimony Before the House International Relations Committee
5/15/2003
We will provide the conditions for Iraqis to govern themselves in the future. To that end, the Coalition Provisional Authority will work with responsible Iraqis to begin the process of establishing a government representative of all the Iraqi people. L. Paul Bremer, Special Envoy to Iraq
Press Conference in Baghdad
5/15/2003
We are interested in the quick creation of an Iraqi interim authority and in Iraq's democracy. Marc Grossman, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs
Interview with China Phoenix TV
5/16/2003
I've read a report in the American press about a delay (in the transitional authority). I don't know where these stories are coming from because we haven't delayed anything. L. Paul Bremer, Special Envoy to Iraq
Remarks to Press in Mosul
5/18/2003
I would think we are talking about more like sometime in July to get a national conference put together. L. Paul Bremer, Special Envoy to Iraq
Remarks to Reporters in Baghdad
5/21/2003
As Thomas Jefferson put it, "we are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed." It took time and patience, but eventually our Founders got it right--and we hope so will the people of Iraq--over time. Donald Rumsfeld
Wall Street Journal op-ed
5/27/2003
While our goal is to put functional and political authority in the hands of Iraqis as soon as possible, the Coalition Provisional Authority has the responsibility to fill the vacuum of power . . . by asserting temporary authority over the country. The coalition will do so. It will not tolerate self-appointed "leaders." Donald Rumsfeld
Speech to the Council on Foreign Relations
5/27/2003
It will be difficult for a free political life in Iraq to flourish until the conditions are set, but it is a project that we're working on. Douglas Feith, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
Foreign Press Briefing
5/28/2003
They told us, "Liberation now," and then they made it occupation. Bush said he was a liberator, not an occupier, and we supported the United States on this basis. Ahmed Chalabi, Chairman of the Iraqi National Congress
Interview with Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist
5/29/2003
Question: When do you think there might be a government in place, even a provisional government in place in Iraq? Rumsfeld: I don't know. Donald Rumsfeld
Infinity Radio Town Hall
5/29/2003
The CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) is going to be in charge until there is a sovereign representative, democratic Iraqi government chosen. Anonymous CPA Official
Interview with The Washington Times
6/2/2003
If (Bremer) is going to appoint an administration, we can't be part of that. We will only be part of an administration selected by the Iraqi people. There are certain lines which we cannot cross. Hamid Bayati, Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq
Washington Post Interview
6/7/2003
Our role is very limited. We're not allowed to make any decisions. Isam Khafaji, a member a of the Defense Department's Iraq Reconstruction and Development Council
Washington Post Interview
6/7/2003
The Iraqi changeover from virtual dictatorship to democracy won't come overnight...There will be a gradual transition or evolution to a more open Iraq. Richard Haass, Director of Policy Planning at the State Department
ABC television
6/16/2003
We are a proud people and we will not accept this humiliation. The Americans should beware the wrath of the Iraqi people. Abu Adel, Tribal Leader in Ramadi, Iraq
AP Interview
6/17/2003
As long as we're here, we are the occupying power. It's a very ugly word, but it's true. L. Paul Bremer, Special Envoy to Iraq
Washington Post Interview
6/18/2003
In a postwar situation like this, if you start holding elections, the people who are rejectionists tend to win ... It's often the best-organized who win, and the best-organized right now are the former Baathists and to some extent the Islamists. Paul Bremer, Civil Administrator of Iraq
Interview Reported In Washington Post
6/28/2003
We are going to fight them and impose our will on them and we will capture or, if necessary, kill them until we have imposed law and order upon this country. L. Paul Bremer
BBC Interview
6/30/2003
