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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
An internal DFID review of the project in June 2006 concluded that although the training
(held in Dubai for security reasons) was generally of a high quality and cost‑effective,
the project was unlikely to lead to sustainable improvements in professional practice in
the absence of any continuing in‑country support for the trainees or any links to broader
institutional reform processes.309 An in‑country justice adviser had been recruited to
mitigate these weaknesses, but she had been withdrawn from Iraq after 10 days for
security reasons. The review commented:
“… the project should have been used as an entry point for DFID’s work in this sector,
been more flexible in the range of activities it could support, and been more closely
linked to efforts at donor co‑ordination … The [review] team acknowledges that the
project was put together under pressure rapidly to get programme activities started
with some quick‑win activities … The pressure to move fast, however, may well have
sown the seeds for the eventual, limited impact.”
359.  In late January 2004, Acting DCC Brand reported that it had been agreed at a
meeting between the CPA and the US NSC to reduce the planned “Civpol police adviser
pool” – those officers who would undertake monitoring/mentoring duties – from 1,500
to 500 and to use the savings to finance specialist facilities and trainers.310 DCC Brand
was unable to attend; it is unclear whether there was any other UK representation at the
meeting. The advisers were to be provided by Dyncorps,311 with 50 being earmarked for
the South.312
360.  Although training at the Jordan training facility was under way, an FCO update to
No.10 on 18 February detailed “infrastructure and contract” problems.313
361.  The response from No.10 stated:
“The Prime Minister was disappointed to read of continuing problems with the police
training in Jordan. It is not good enough that the training school is running at only
half its capacity and that at the current rate the police training programme will need
to extend at least to the end of the year.”314
362.  Mr Blair requested a further update detailing the steps to be taken to “get this vital
training programme back on track”.
363.  Mr Blair raised his concerns over delays in funding the police training camp
in Jordan in a video conference with President Bush on 24 February, in which Vice
President Cheney and Dr Rice also participated.315 The White House team told Mr Blair
309  Report DFID, 30 June 2006, ‘Iraq International Legal Consortium Justice Sector’.
310  Minute Brand, 1 February 2004, ‘Report from Iraq – Douglas Brand’.
311  Dyncorps is a US‑based private military contractor.
312  Minute FCO [junior official] to Buck, 4 February 2004, ‘Visit to Iraq 26‑30 Jan’.
313  Letter Adams to Rycroft, 18 February 2004, ‘Iraq: Security Sector Reform’.
314  Letter Rycroft to Adams, 23 February 2004, ‘Iraq: Security Sector Reform’.
315  Letter Cannon to Adams, 24 February 2004, ‘Iraq: Prime Minister’s Video‑Conference with
President Bush, 24 February’.
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