12.1  |  Security Sector Reform

on security and electricity provision in Baghdad. On the development of the ISF,

he stated:

“… the Ministry of Defence needed to look closely at the level of capability of

the Iraqi forces. This should also look at the quality of training and provision of

equipment … ensuring the ISF did have sufficient capability could make a very big

difference to our strategic progress in Iraq.”

1060.  The MOD was asked to provide a paper on the capability and requirements of

the ISF.

1061.  On 25 May, during a working dinner with Dr Rice and Mr Steve Hadley, US

National Security Advisor, Sir Nigel Sheinwald said that urgent action was needed on

ISF capacity:

“The numbers used by the MNF were suspect as they did not take account of

substantial desertions. It was disappointing that there were still problems over

equipment, as well as the known gaps in terms of command and control and running

their own operations.”976

1062.  On 2 June, Sir Nigel chaired a meeting of the Iraq Strategy Group.977 The Group

had reviewed progress against the tasks commissioned by Mr Blair:

• Gen Casey was “preparing an Iraqi‑fronted security statement in mid/late

June” that “would announce the first wave of provinces to transition”. The UK

“favoured” an indication of what could be expected “over the next 18‑24 months,

but the US was cautious”.

• The MOD was working on a “robust assessment of where things stood” with

the ISF.

• Gen Casey was preparing a Security Plan for Basra (described later in this

Section).

• GOC MND(SE) “intended to start detention operations in the next few days, and

was working to increase the Iraqi face on security using the Iraqi Army”. The

Iraqis were currently participating in 40 percent of all patrols in Basra.

• The “FCO was pursuing a US analysis of the gaps in their support to the key

ministries and DFID was pulling together an overview of UK support”.

976  Letter Sheinwald to Hayes, 26 May 2006, ‘Dinner with US Secretary of State and National Security

Adviser, 25 May’.

977  Minute Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 5 June 2006, ‘Iraq Strategy Group’.

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