The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

in such a way as to allow a UK force to play a role in the main effort. But we are

conscious that the current Package 3 was constructed and agreed on the premise

of playing a role in the North, and more political guidance would be needed before

we could go far in developing other options.”

1111. On 3 December, Mr Straw was warned that Turkey might not be able to meet

all requests for support.

1112. Mr Paul Wolfowitz, the US Deputy Secretary of Defense, met Mr Hoon on

2 December in London.436

1113. The record of the meeting noted that it would be difficult to secure the UK’s

passage through Turkey, although there were some indications that might be possible

as long as UK forces did not linger long in northern Iraq. Mr Hoon was reported to have

said that would suit the UK as they wished to get forces in and out quickly.

1114. At a separate meeting with Sir Kevin Tebbit and Adm Boyce the same day,

Mr Wolfowitz asked if there would be a delay if UK forces were switched to the South.437

Adm Boyce:

“… responded that there was no plan for the South, and that if [Gen] Franks wanted

[the] UK in [the] South, he would have to articulate what the scope and task would

be. All that could be said with any confidence was that a time premium would have

to be paid.”

1115. In a meeting in Ankara on 3 December, Mr Straw told Mr Abdullah Gül, the

Turkish Prime Minister, that the UK would probably make similar requests to the US for

Turkish support.438 Mr Straw was warned that the Turkish Government would need the

permission of Parliament to allow foreign troops on Turkish soil and that Turkey might

not be able to meet all requests; if the UK were planning to send forces it must talk

to Turkey.

1116. Mr Westmacott observed that there was “no doubt that Turkish co‑operation would

be hard to obtain in the absence of a new SCR [Security Council Resolution] specifically

authorising military action”.439

436 Letter Watkins to McDonald, 2 December 2002, ‘Meeting with Wolfowitz – 2 December 2002’.

437 Minute SECCOS to PSO/CDS and PS/PUS, 2 December 2002, ‘Visit to UK of US Deputy Secretary

of Defense – Record of MOD/FCO/Cabinet Office Roundtable Meeting – 2 Dec 02’.

438 Telegram 457 Ankara to FCO London, 3 December 2002, ‘Iraq: Foreign Secretary’s Meeting with

Turkish Prime Minister, Ankara, 3 December’.

439 Telegram 462 Ankara to FCO London, 4 December 2002, ‘Iraq: Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Ankara:

Overview’.

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