The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

489.  The paper assessed that a functioning Iraqi public administration was essential

for “a return to normalcy”. UK actions to restore it included:

• CPA(South) and UK representatives would continue to press CPA(Baghdad)

to release funds for the operating budget; this would also require a “high level

political push”. There was a risk that those funds would not immediately be

forthcoming: “We [the UK] therefore need to identify a line of funding that will –

effectively – cover the costs of being an Occupying Power until other sources

are freed up. Realistically, this might be for three months.”

• 1 (UK) Div would continue to focus QIPs on restoring public infrastructure, and

DFID would continue to fund similar activity through UN agencies and NGOs.

490.  The paper stated that the “total UK package” would be worth £26m over the

six‑month period to October, comprising:

• £5m from DFID for QIPs265 (in addition to the £10m already held by the

UK military);

• up to £10m from DFID for additional senior and support staff, equipment and

if necessary operating costs for CPA(South); and

• £1m from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool for police training.

491.  The paper also stated that the UK’s AOR would expand to four Governorates

to match the CPA(South) area.

492.  The Annotated Agenda for the meeting stated:

• The UK had “a fluctuating contingent” of around 70 secondees in the CPA.

• Security in the South remained fragile. Iraqi frustration with the pace of progress

could cause the situation to deteriorate. The UK’s ability to “push the pace”

would be constrained by the reduction in UK military force strength following the

transition to the 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division.

493.  Ministers noted the main recommendations in the DFID/MOD paper and agreed

the UK should:

“• press CPA headquarters to agree the mandate for CPA(South), to ensure

US firms deliver on their contracts, and to provide budgets so that Iraqi public

institutions are able to get back to work;

• seek to co-ordinate the UK and CPA reconstruction efforts in the South with the

armies and development agencies of incoming military contingents;

• increase the number of DFID advisers and other staff in CPA(South), particularly

in the area of project management;

265  The DFID/MOD paper also stated that DFID would provide £6m for QIPs. The Inquiry concludes that

£5m is the correct figure.

88