The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
1300.
On 4 January
2007, Maj Gen Shirreff reported that the Iraqi Ground
Forces
Command had
declared operational control of 10th Division from
MNF‑I.1201
Maj Gen Shirreff
stated:
“I am
content, but on the condition that Latif is replaced and the Army
does not
accept
orders from the Basra Security Committee.”
1301.
On the No.10
copy of Maj Gen Shirreff’s report, Sir Nigel
Sheinwald commented
that, while
there was some positive news in it, “the worst … is left to the end
and is a
1302.
Lt
Gen Lamb produced an update on ISF capabilities on 5 January
2007.1203
On equipment,
he wrote that the Iraqi Government did not view 10th Division as
“a
relatively
high priority for investment” because their ratings and manning
levels were
“significantly
higher than other Divisions on a number of criteria”. If the UK was
to lobby
the IMOD
and MNSTC‑I for equipment, Lt Gen Lamb advised:
“… this
needs to be done in the full knowledge that it distorts the
prioritisation and
investment
system that we have encouraged the Iraqis to develop and meet
their
national
needs as a whole; expect push back from US and ISF
commanders.”
1303.
The manuscript
comment on Lt Gen Lamb’s assessment of the priorities
for
investment
said: “We have to make this up then.” The MOD has been unable to
identify
the author
of the manuscript comments.
1304.
On 8 January,
the IPU produced an engagement strategy for the future
UK
presence in
southern Iraq.1204
On ISF
capability in Basra, the paper stated: “We should
be frank
about the problems, for the sake of our own credibility.” The IPU
then suggested
a series of
positive messages:
•
Both the
Iraqi Army and the IPS are increasingly taking the lead
following
Op SINBAD.
•
Cleaning up
the police is “at the heart of our current work”.
•
The SCU is
being disbanded and replaced by a Basra Crimes Unit at the
PJCC
site.
•
A DIA and a
Prosecution Mentoring Unit have been created.
1201
Report
Shirreff, 4 January 2007, ‘GOC MND(SE) – Southern Iraq Update – 04
January 2007’.
1202
Manuscript
comment Sheinwald on Letter Beadle to Banner, 8 January 2007,
‘Iraq: Update’ attaching
Report
Shirreff, 4 January 2007, ‘GOC MND(SE) – Southern Iraq Update – 04
January 2007’.
1203
Minute Lamb
to DCDS(C), 5 January 2007, ‘Iraqi Security Force (ISF)
Capability’.
1204
Paper IPU,
8 January 2007, ‘Future UK Presence in Southern Iraq: Engagement
Strategy’.
356