Bremer to direct democratic reconstruction of Iraq
Retired Army general Jay Garner, acting as chief administrator in Iraq in the aftermath of the war, is to be replaced by L. Paul Bremer, a counter-terrorism expert, US President George W. Bush said at a press conference.
With the war all but over, his job will be to foster civilian democratic practices in Saddam Hussein’s former dictatorship, without an overt military accent.
The announcement was made by Mr. Bush, with Mr. Bremer, Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice present in the White House Oval Office.
Mr. Bush explained why Bremer had been selected: ‘In selecting Jerry Bremer, our country will be sending one of our best citizens. He’s a man with enormous experience. He’s a person who knows how to get things done. He’s a can-do type person.
‘He’s a can-do-type person. He shares the same values as most Americans here, and that is a deep desire to have an orderly country in Iraq that is free and at peace, where the average citizen has a chance to achieve his and her dreams.’
Mr. Bremer, otherwise known as ‘Jerry,’ will outrank Zalmay Khalilzad, the US official in charge of Iraq’s political direction.
Mr. Garner has said he would remain in Iraq to ensure a ‘good handoff.’
Separately, it is thought Saddam Hussein and his family drew $1 billion out from an Iraqi bank prior to the commencement of the US-led invasion in March.
