The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
•
tasking the
MOD and DFID to discuss funding their plan with the
Treasury,
if
necessary;
•
encouraging
international partners to support the regional
reconstruction
plan;
and
•
encouraging
ORHA to accelerate its reconstruction efforts, including
by
devolving
parts of its budget to its regional offices.215
388.
The AHMGIR
agreed those recommendations.216
389.
A costed plan
for rehabilitation in the South was submitted to the AHMGIR
on
12 June.
390.
On 23 May,
Mr Malik briefed Baroness Amos’s Office on recent negative
reporting
on DFID’s
role in southern Iraq.217
Much of
this appeared to have been inspired by UK
military
personnel in Iraq or Doha, although direct feedback from the UK
military was
that DFID’s
support was “highly valued”.
“There is
some frustration amongst military personnel in Basra that they have
not
been able
to hand over the post conflict effort to civilian agencies quickly
enough.
However, to
a large extent this reflects the security environment … and the
failure of
ORHA to
deliver. Over the coming days we will be reinforcing advisory
support to the
military
and ORHA, and will be assessing what more we can do.”
392.
Mr Malik
recommended that Baroness Amos speak to Mr Hoon before
Mr Blair’s
visit to
Iraq at the end of the month.
393.
United Nations
Security Council resolution 1483 (2003) was adopted on 22
May.218
394.
The resolution
confirmed that the UN would not have the lead responsibility for
the
administration
and reconstruction of Iraq, which would fall to the CPA. There
would be a
role for
the UN, exercised through a Special Representative to the
Secretary-General.219
215 Annotated
Agenda, 22 May 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation
meeting.
216
Minutes, 22
May 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
217
Minute
Malik to Private Secretary [DFID], 23 May 2003, ‘Iraq: DFID
Reputation in Southern Iraq’.
218
UN, Press
Release SC/7765, 22 May 2003, Security
Council lifts sanctions on Iraq, approves UN role,
calls for
appointment of Secretary-General’s Special
Representative.
219
UN Security
Council resolution 1483 (2003).
70