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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
Turning around the situation in Basra, following the Prime Minister’s private
conversation with Maliki. This will require
{{a political understanding with parties representing the spectrum of political
opinion there;
{{a package of UK and international reconstruction assistance;
{{a larger role and presence for the Iraqi forces, working alongside UK
forces …
Promoting international support for the new Government …
Ensuring that Arab countries respond positively to requests for assistance from
the new Iraqi Government …
Stepping up our outreach activities to both Sunni and Shia militants … to
ensure that they are given opportunity and incentives to participate in the
political process …
Capacity building for Iraqi ministries. We need a paper setting out our and the
US’s current assistance … and a plan for addressing the gaps.”
551.  Sir Nigel’s letter alerted members of DOP(I) that Mr Blair was likely to want to
discuss these issues the next time they met.
552.  Mr Dinham told the Inquiry that Mr Blair’s visit took place at a point when
security was deteriorating and “there wasn’t an awful lot that was strongly visible” on
reconstruction.316 Work to build the capacity of the Iraqi Government was progressing
but was “below the radar” and DFID’s infrastructure and essential services projects had
taken some time to “get off the ground”:
“So I think what he [Mr Blair] wanted was – I think what we all wanted – was to have
some visible effect.”
553.  DOP(I) met on 25 May.317 Mr Blair told the meeting that the UK should focus on:
the development of the ISF;
seeing progress in Basra; and
supporting the Iraqi Government’s efforts to restore security and electricity
provision in Baghdad.
554.  Minsters commented that:
DFID was seconding two officials to Deputy Prime Minister Salih’s office, to help
with planning and preparation for a donor conference in September.
The key to further progress on electricity production lay in co-operation between
Iraqi ministries and the development of realistic plans, rather than donor funding.
316  Public hearing, 17 December 2010, pages 65-66.
317  Minutes, 25 May 2006, DOP(I) meeting.
288
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