12.1 |
Security Sector Reform
232.
An FCO update
to the MOD’s Iraq Secretariat stated that the strategy was
“broadly
endorsed by
the Prime Minister”.182
233.
On 6 June, the
UND contacted the US State Department to share its draft
policing
234.
Sir Kevin
Tebbit and Gen Walker visited Baghdad and Basra in early
June.184
Sir Kevin
reported that Ambassador Bremer had expressed a desire to draw
on
UK
expertise from Northern Ireland and they had explored how the UK
might offer
assistance.
Sir Kevin also recorded that Gen Walker thought that the
MOD Operational
Training
and Advisory Group (OPTAG) should advise on the creation of a
“Police and
Security
Sector Reform Assistance” team.
235.
The UND
responded with a formal minute defending the UK’s draft
strategy.
The minute
stated:
“Since 1997
there has been a Whitehall system in place for the deployment of
UK
civilian
police … The International Policing Unit in UND, FCO is in the lead
… They
… have a
large amount of experience and expertise to draw on. I do not see
the
need to ask
OPTAG to advise on setting up a new team … nor indeed do I see
the
need for a
new team to be set up at all.”185
236.
The MOD’s Iraq
Secretariat had also been in touch with Mr Kerik in
Baghdad.186
As a
result, they considered that the FCO’s policing strategy was “about
three weeks
behind the
curve” as Mr Kerik “doesn’t want an international force, he
wants trainers
(about
7,000 of them).”
“Until we
see a policing strategy from the Americans … I suggest we continue
to sell
our
proposal.”
238.
At the AHMGIR
held on 12 June, the FCO’s policing strategy was not
discussed.187
Instead
discussion on SSR focused on the deployment of UK
personnel.
239.
The minutes
also recorded:
“The US had
asked for our advice on how to win hearts and minds and
establish
security
based on our Northern Ireland experience. The MOD would send a
team.”
182
Letter UND
[junior official] to MOD(Sec Iraq), 9 June 2003, ‘Iraq: Policing
Strategy’.
183
Email UND
[junior official] to [State Department], 6 June 2003, ‘Iraq
Policing’.
184
Minute
Tebbit to Secretary of State [MOD], 3 June 2003, ‘Visit to Basra
and Baghdad’.
185
Minute UND
[junior official] to MOD(Sec Iraq), 9 June 2003, ‘Iraq: Policing
Strategy’.
186
Email UND
[junior official] to Lowe [MOD], 9 June 2003, ‘Policing Meeting –
Tuesday 10 June’.
187
Minutes, 12
June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation
meeting.
109