In the final report on The Transition to Democracy in Iraq, issued in November 2002, “the Iraqi Democratic Principles Working Group, which sought to demilitarize society and establish civilian control over the military, warned of the ‘substantial social and economic chaos’ (including the explosive growth of organized crime) that could result from the rapid ‘de-commissioning of hundreds of thousands of trained military personnel.’ It thus urged that military reorganization be done gradually by an Iraqi committee for military reform, which would offer cashiered soldiers civilian reconstruction jobs, basic and specialized educational programs, low-interest loans to create businesses, better pensions, and other forms of compensation.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Larry Diamond, Squandered Victory, Pages 282-283