The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
base, but
made a number of recommendations for improving security at the
COB,
the Basra
Palace site and two other locations in central Basra.
493.
In Baghdad,
the SOSA’s main concern was the security of the International
Zone
after the
handing over of checkpoints to Iraqi control. The US would ensure
that its
Mission
remained well protected and there was a danger that the UK compound
would
become the
target by default. The SOSA recommended:
•
that a more
senior member of the Embassy staff (he suggested the
Deputy
Head of
Mission) attend meetings of the US‑led International Zone
security
committee;
and
•
implementation
of a number of urgent steps to strengthen and harden
physical
security on
the UK compound.
494.
In Basra by 15
March, most staff had left the Basra Palace site and the move
to
the COB was
on track for completion by the end of the month.327
The UK
military were
expected to
remain at the Palace until 1 August.
495.
Some DFID
members of the PRT for whom there was insufficient
hardened
accommodation
in the COB were based temporarily in a PRT office in
Kuwait.328
496.
Mr Casey
informed Sir Peter Ricketts that the SOSA was content for
the
International
Police Advisers (IPAs) employed by the contractor ArmorGroup to
remain
at the
Provincial Joint Co‑ordination Centre (PJCC) within the police
headquarters, also
known as
the Warren, but confirmed that the arrangement would be kept under
review
because of
concerns about the site’s viability and the fact that it was
co‑occupied by
the Iraqi
Police.329
Because
there was insufficient space in the FCO’s new
facilities
for those
IPAs located at the COB, they would be accommodated in a separate
COB
compound
with a lower standard of overhead protection. Officials were
satisfied that the
arrangement
met the FCO’s duty of care obligations, subject to a written
agreement with
the
company.
497.
On 28 March,
Sir Peter Ricketts informed the House of Commons Foreign
Affairs
Committee
of the changes in location of the British Embassy Offices Basra and
Kirkuk.330
498.
Sir Peter
described the chief benefits of relocation in Basra as
consolidation of all
major
elements of the UK effort in southern Iraq in the same place and
improved safety
for
staff.
327
Minute
Casey to PS/PUS [FCO], 15 March 2007, ‘Iraq: Post Security
Issues’.
328
Minute
MENAD [junior official] to PS/Secretary of State [DFID], 5 February
2007, ‘Information Note:
Security
Update – Iraq’.
329
Minute
Casey to PS/PUS [FCO], 15 March 2007, ‘Iraq: Post Security
Issues’.
330
Select
Committee on Foreign Affairs Minutes of Evidence, 19 November
2007, Letter to
the Chairman
from
Sir Peter Ricketts, KCMG, Permanent Under‑Secretary of State,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
28 March
2007.
332