12.1 |
Security Sector Reform
The MOD was
also pursuing deployment of 12 non-commissioned officers to assist
with
training of
the Iraqi Army.
302.
The IPU
assessed that “the main problem in developing the Iraqi Police is
the
slowness
with which CPA is developing its strategy, concept and timelines
for reform”
and that
“in the absence of a central strategy, we are pursuing regional
options”.
303.
In the
meeting, most of the actions in the paper were agreed although
the
minutes
make no mention of the use of national resources to progress
SSR.265
It
was
also
suggested that DCC Brand could potentially produce a policing
strategy and that
Sir Jeremy
Greenstock should lobby Ambassador Bremer on the “necessity of
having
a strategy”.
304.
On 14
September, Sir Jeremy Greenstock sent a teleletter to
Sir Nigel
Sheinwald
(Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Adviser and Head of OD Sec),
Mr Sawers,
Mr Geoffrey Adams
(Mr Straw’s Principal Private Secretary), Mr John Buck
(Mr Straw’s
Private
Secretary) and Sir Hilary Synnott (Head of
CPA(South)).266
It
stated:
“Security
will colour everything. The right way forward is Iraqiisation,
particularly
in the
police. Bremer and his advisers are clear on the principle. But
there is as
yet no
central plan for police training, and no CPA focal point for
driving it forward.
I am going
to have to expend ammunition on this soon. Meanwhile London
(and
Washington)
should be maximising the input of resources into the police area,
not
just
training but also the provision of cars, equipment, radios etc. All
this should
be prepared
now, even if Ministers only sign it off when they see the
planned
requirement
set out. It is truly urgent.”
305.
The Annotated
Agenda for the meeting of the AHMGIR on 18 September
re‑affirmed
the requirement for a “coherent overall policing
strategy”.267
Cabinet
Office
officials
reported that the UK was lobbying Ambassador Bremer and Washington
to
expedite
creation of a strategy and operational plan, and was offering the
services of
DCC Brand
to write them. The paper did not reflect Mr Blair’s desire to
treble the number
of police
trainers.
306.
Ministers
discussed policing at the AHMGIR on 18 September and “endorsed
the
plans for
police training outlined in the Annotated Agenda and agreed that
they should
be
implemented as swiftly as possible with whatever UK help was
necessary”.268
265
Letter Dodd
to Sheinwald, 10 September 2003, [untitled].
266
Teleletter
Greenstock to Sheinwald, 14 September 2003, ‘Iraq/CPA: Early
impressions’.
267 Annotated
Agenda, 18 September 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation
meeting.
268
Minutes, 18
September 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation
meeting.
125