On May 22, 2003, “the United Nations Security Council explicitly recognized United States and Britain, under international law, as ‘occupying powers’ in Iraq. Security Council Resolution 1483 called upon America and Britain ‘to promote the welfare of the Iraqi people through the effective administration of the territory,’ while creating the conditions for Iraqis to ‘freely determine their own future.’ The Bush administration saw the resolution as a major step forward, one that blessed its post-war engagement with Iraq, ended thirteen years of sanctions on the country, enabled it to sell the nation’s oil and get the economy started, encouraged international cooperation with the reconstruction, and requested the secretary-general to appoint a UN special representative for Iraq.”
– Larry Diamond, Squandered Victory, Page 38