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SECTION 5
ADVICE ON THE LEGAL BASIS FOR MILITARY
ACTION, NOVEMBER 2002 TO MARCH 2003
Contents
Introduction and key findings ............................................................................................ 4
UNSCR 1441 .................................................................................................................... 5
Discussion, debate and advice, November to December 2002 ........................................ 6
Lord Goldsmith’s conversations with Mr Powell and Mr Straw, November 2002 ........ 6
Cabinet, 14 November 2002 ..................................................................................... 11
“Material breach” and the need for advice ................................................................ 11
House of Commons debate on Iraq, 25 November 2002 ......................................... 17
FCO advice, 6 December 2002 ................................................................................ 19
Obtaining Lord Goldsmith’s opinion ................................................................................ 21
Instructions for Lord Goldsmith to advise ................................................................. 21
Lord Goldsmith’s meeting with No.10 officials, 19 December 2002 ......................... 33
Lord Goldsmith’s provisional view ................................................................................... 36
Lord Goldsmith’s draft advice of 14 January 2003 ................................................... 36
No.10’s reaction to Lord Goldsmith’s advice ............................................................ 42
Cabinet, 16 January 2003 ......................................................................................... 47
Lord Goldsmith’s meeting with Sir Jeremy Greenstock, 23 January 2003 ............... 50
Mr Blair’s interview on BBC Breakfast with Frost, 26 January 2003 ........................ 53
Options for a second resolution ................................................................................ 53
Lord Goldsmith’s advice, 30 January 2003 ..................................................................... 55
US agreement to pursue a second resolution .......................................................... 58
Public statements by Mr Blair, February 2003 .......................................................... 60
A disagreement between Mr Straw and Mr Wood .......................................................... 64
Mr Straw’s letter to Lord Goldsmith, 6 February 2003 .............................................. 72
Further advice on a second resolution ...................................................................... 75
Lord Goldsmith’s visit to Washington, 10 February 2003 ................................................ 76
Agreement on a second resolution ................................................................................. 78
A second resolution is tabled .................................................................................... 80
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