The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
least the
suggestion that the French made that they would not approve any
second
resolution,
so I think you get into a situation where there is impatience in
Washington
with the
process and a determination to bring it to an end.”272
771.
Asked whether
the suggestion by France and others to extend the
period
of
inspections was “for real” or “purely tactical to hold off the
invasion”, Sir David
responded:
“I don’t
know that I can be sure … there was an element of tactics and I
think it is
important
to recall how bad political relationships were at the top among
different
governments
at this time.
“One of the
difficulties I felt … was the lack of communication between
those
who were on
different sides of the argument and I think there was
undoubtedly
a tactical perception
…
“I am not
sure it was entirely tactical …”273
772.
Sir David
Manning subsequently told the Inquiry:
“It became
clear in January and February that it was very, very tough. This is
a
period when
relationships between leaders become very strained, and to a
certain
extent just
break down, to be honest.
“The French
sort of go into overdrive against the idea of the second resolution
in
February.
The Americans tell us, well, we will get you the second resolution,
we
know the
Prime Minister needs one, and are, I think, considerably surprised
when
they find
actually they can’t deliver a second resolution.
“And I
think the degree to which emotion and anger are affecting the
argument at the
very top of
Government during this period is very considerable.
“So it
looked pretty bleak, to be honest. On the other hand, it seemed to
me tempers
might cool.
It would have been dramatically changed, the whole tempo of the
crisis,
if Hans
Blix had had a serious find, and initially it didn’t look
impossible.”274
“… if over
a series of months we didn’t find anything, then the mood would
have
changed
anyway, and whether we needed to get a second resolution or rethink
the
whole
crisis, at least you had a shot at that.”
272
Public
hearing, 30 November 2009, page 81.
273
Public
hearing, 30 November 2009, page 82.
274
Private
hearing, 24 June 2010, pages 83-84.
536