10.2 |
Reconstruction: July 2004 to July 2009
be supported
by surge capacity from Dhi Qar and Basra (and
eventually
just
Basra).
453.
The IPU
described this as the “4-2-1” model, as four PRTs reduced to two
(Basra
and Dhi
Qar) and then one (Basra) over time.
454.
The IPU
advised that the US would need to agree the UK model, which
might
require
Ministerial-level discussions with US counterparts.
455.
At the
meeting, Mr Straw said that the IPU paper “proposed that we
went along
with the
United States’ proposal but without disrupting our own plans for
military
transition”.260
Dr Reid
agreed that the UK response should be positive, but stressed
the
need to
keep control of and tailor developing PRT plans in the provinces
where the UK
was
directly involved.
457.
Officials
revisited the decision to adopt a 4-2-1 model in January
2006.
458.
Mr Straw
wrote to Mr Benn at the end of November, reporting that the
Deputy
Governor of
Basra and members of the Basra Provincial Council had pressed for
more
visible UK
development projects, and had drawn attention to a number of DFID
projects
that had
recently been closed.262
459.
Mr Straw
understood that those projects had been funded from the
employment
generation
component of the southern Iraq Employment and Services
Programme
(SIESP),
which DFID had closed down in August 2005. Mr Straw recognised
the security
constraints
and the need to ensure funds were properly used, but asked that
DFID
officials
look for some way to respond to the Councillors’ request for
“highly visible,
‘flagship’
projects”.
460.
Mr Benn
replied on 9 December, highlighting the work DFID was doing in
Basra
and with
the Provincial Council.263
He did not
offer new proposals and cautioned that
DFID had to
be “extremely careful” about publicising reconstruction projects,
in case
such
publicity made workers and projects more attractive targets for
insurgents.
461.
The Iraqi
elections took place on 15 December.264
Mr Patey
reported that the day
had passed
off peacefully with no major security events.
260
Minutes, 1
December 2005, DOP(I) meeting.
261
Minutes, 1
December 2005, DOP(I) meeting.
262
Letter
Straw to Benn, 28 November 2005, ‘Basra Development Projects: My
Meeting with Basra
Provincial
Council, 11 November’.
263
Letter Benn
to Straw, 9 December 2005, ‘Basra Development Projects: Your
Meeting with Basra
Provincial
Council, 11 November’.
264
eGram
20961/05 Baghdad to FCO London, 16 December 2005, ‘Iraq: Elections:
Election Day’.
273