The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
delays and
a sub‑optimal delivery in an area where the UK has a serious
contribution
After a
slow start, the UK reached its target of 100 trainers in January
2004. The first
tranche
deployed to the training centre in Jordan21
in November
2003 and the first tranche
of 24
officers for az‑Zubayr Academy in Basra deployed in December. DCC
Brand did not
receive his
additional officers for non‑training roles until March
2004.
35.
From early
June 2003, and throughout the summer, there had been signs
that
security in
both Baghdad and MND(SE) was deteriorating. As the summer wore
on,
authoritative
sources in the UK system, such as the Joint Intelligence Committee
(JIC),
began to
identify issues with the potential to escalate into conflict and to
recognise the
likelihood
that extremist groups would become more co‑ordinated (see Section
14.1).
36.
In September
Mr Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defense Secretary, applied pressure
on
the CPA to
increase the number of Iraqi Army officers by ordering an
acceleration of the
training
programme, halving the training time to one year, and increasing
its budget from
US$173m to
US$2.2bn.
The Iraqi
Civil Defence Corps (ICDC) was created in July 2003
to:
•
give Coalition
operations an Iraqi face;
•
keep
unemployed young men out of the insurgency; and
•
increase the
number of security forces available.
Established
by CPA Order No.28, the ICDC was described as “a security and
emergency
agency for
Iraq”22
and was
authorised to perform a wide range of constabularly
duties.
It operated
under the authority of the Administrator of the CPA but was subject
to the
supervision
of Coalition Forces.
The ICDC’s
performance received mixed reviews but it became an important
component
of SSR
while other elements, such as the Iraqi Police Service and Iraqi
Army, were being
developed.
37.
As security
worsened, Ministers sought to expedite “Iraqiisation”, the term
used
to refer to
the ability of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to take the lead
responsibility
for security.
20
Minute
Straw to Sawers, 27 November 2003, ‘UK Police Assistance to
Iraq’.
21
The
majority of police training took place at the Jordan International
Police Training College (JIPTC).
22
Coalition
Provisional Authority Order Number 28 – Establishment of the Iraqi
Civil Defense Corps,
3 September
2003.
422