12.1 | Security Sector Reform

Multi‑National Division (South‑East) (MND(SE)) was established on 12 July.374 That

formalised the UK’s responsibility for maintaining security in the provinces of Basra,

Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan, initially as an Occupying Power and, from June 2004,

in support of the Iraqi Government. That area of Iraq is often referred to as ‘the South’.

432. On 14 April, Mr Blair told the House of Commons that the South of Iraq was

“largely under British control”.375 In Basra:

“About 200 policemen have reported for work. Joint patrols started on 13 April. In

surrounding towns, looting has either ceased or is declining, local patrols are being

re‑established and co‑operation with city councils is going well.”

433. In response to a question from Mr Iain Duncan Smith, the Leader of the

Opposition, Mr Blair told Members of Parliament (MPs):

“Of course the British forces will stay until there is proper security in the country,

although obviously we hope to ensure that some of the policing is done by local

people as soon as possible. That is why it is encouraging that joint patrols are

already taking place. Although people may find this strange, much of the problem for

Iraqi citizens came from the special security forces, not the ordinary civil police, if I

may put it like that. Many of those people could perform an adequate and good task

for the future of Iraq. Other countries are already offering help in relation to policing

and security.”376

434. Responding to a proposal by Mr Jeffrey M Donaldson that the UK should draw

on the experience of retired Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers to police Iraq,

Mr Blair said:

“We should look at using retired RUC officers. Indeed, the Defence Secretary

tells me that representatives of our UK police have gone out to Iraq to see what

assistance we can give.”377

435. Pressed by Mr Nicholas Soames to “take seriously” Mr Donaldson’s point, Mr Blair

added that deploying former officers was “a priority for us, because the better we can

maintain order, the better it is for the people of Iraq and the less is the pressure on our

soldiers”.378

374 Report Lamb, 30 January 2004, ‘Post Operational Tour Report – Version 1 Operation Telic 2/3