In order to ‘take charge of key policy decisions’ in Iraq, “The White House announced the formation of the Iraq Stabilization Group on October 6 [2003]. In a background briefing to reporters, [National Security Advisor Condoleezza] Rice downplayed suggestions that she was reining in [Director of the Coalition Provisional Authority L. Paul] Bremer or cutting out [Secretary of Defense Donald] Rumsfeld. ‘It is to facilitate Bremer,’ she said. ‘It’s an effort to make sure Washington is not part of the problem.’ [President] Bush said that the group was ‘aimed at the coordination of interagency efforts.’ ”
– Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Imperial Life in the Emerald City, Pages 192-193