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10.1  |  Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004
436.  A draft version of the list of 10 to 15 outstanding, practical issues requested by
Mr Blair on 3 June, produced by the IPU, was considered by the 5 June meeting of the
AHMGIR, chaired by Mr Straw.243
437.  Mr Straw wrote to Mr Blair later that day:
“We [the AHMGIR] fully shared your view that an enormous amount of work remains
to be done. We were concerned that the US was not showing the same energy,
focus and drive in the reconstruction effort that they did in the military campaign.
“Colleagues also felt strongly that the US must not be allowed to take UK support
for granted. Otherwise, as the US ultimately called the shots, we risked being
caught in a position of sharing responsibility for events in Iraq without holding the
corresponding power to influence them. In that context, the Treasury expressed
worries about the provisional arrangements for disbursing oil revenues from the
Development Fund for Iraq …”244
438.  Mr Straw attached a revised IPU paper, which he described as “setting out what
needs to be done to make reconstruction work, containing ideas which would make a big
difference to the people of Iraq”. He highlighted the importance of preventing looting and
criminality and turning the CPA into an efficient, functioning organisation, adding:
“Unless we put these two foundation stones in place, reconstruction will continue
to falter.”
439.  The IPU paper, entitled ‘Iraq Reconstruction: 30 Day Priorities’, stated that the US
and UK needed:
a clear, coherent strategic plan;
a timetable for delivering it; and
regular contact between Mr Blair, President Bush and Ambassador Bremer
to review progress and agree next steps.
440.  The IPU proposed “some specific targets we [the US and UK] should now set
ourselves, for delivery within 30 days”, in six areas:
“1.  Restore security …
2.  Agree and implement a strategic plan for the CPA
 a) Agree specific targets for reconstruction direct with Bremer, and agree the
resources needed to deliver them. And then let him get on with his job.
243  Minutes, 5 June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
244  Letter Straw to Blair, 5 June 2003, ‘Iraq: Winning the Peace’ attaching Paper IPU, 5 June 2003,
‘Iraq Reconstruction: 30 Day Priorities, 5 July 2003’.
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