Authority 12

[There is] “no blanket prohibition” [against self-rule]. ‘I’m not opposed to it, but I want to do it in a way that takes care of our concerns. . . . Elections that are held too early can be destructive. It’s got to be done very carefully.’

Washington Post (28.06.2003): Occupation Forces Halting Elections Throughout Iraq.

Paul Bremer (born 1941) was a US civilian administrator in Iraq employed by the US government from 2003-2004.

Bremer's policy of delaying elections, together with the Americans’ authoritarian occupation strategy, led to an increase in violence between religious groups and violent interpretations of religion (Klein 2010: 508). From the spring of 2004 onwards, the number of violent incidents rose steadily (Klein 2010: 489). With its policy of "regime change", support of military and other coups throughout the 20th century, the USA as a hegemonic force distinguished itself from Great Britain’s hegemonic policies which had followed classic colonial power.

*Naomi Klein (2007): The Shock Doctrine. The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. Toronto: Knopf Canada.

2003