The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

1035. In his diaries, Mr Campbell recorded the importance of publishing the objectives

and his view that: “These strategy papers were as much about internal understanding

as publicity.”495

1036. Mr Straw issued a Written Ministerial Statement setting out the UK’s objectives for

post-conflict Iraq on 7 January.496 The objectives were closely based on those approved

by Mr Blair in October 2002.

1037. The UK’s “prime objective” was “to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction

(WMD) and their associated programmes and means of delivery”.

1038. Six “immediate priorities” were to:

• support the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC)

and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors in Iraq;

• enable UNMOVIC and the IAEA to ensure long-term Iraqi compliance;

• maintain international solidarity behind the UN Security Council;

• preserve regional stability;

• continue to make military plans and preparations in case military action was

needed; and

• continue to support humanitarian efforts to relieve suffering in Iraq.

1039. The undertaking to continue to support humanitarian efforts had been added

since the first draft in October. Other changes included the addition of:

• a statement that the objectives were consistent with wider UK policy on the

Middle East, WMD and terrorism; and

• an undertaking to act in conformity with international law to achieve the

objectives.

1040. The definition of the post-conflict end state was unchanged, but with the

aspiration to achieve it “as rapidly as possible” removed:

“We would like Iraq to become a stable, united and law abiding state, within its

present borders, co-operating with the international community, no longer posing

a threat to its neighbours or to international security, abiding by all its international

obligations and providing effective and representative government to its own people.”

1041. Questions about post-conflict planning continued to be raised in Parliament

during January.

495 Campbell A & Hagerty B. The Alastair Campbell Diaries. Volume 4. The Burden of Power: Countdown

to Iraq. Hutchinson, 2012.

496 House of Commons, Official Report, 7 January 2003, column 4WS.

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