The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
The
Committee’s response was one of incredulity, with encouragement to
plan for
the worst,
as well as the best, case.”
361.
Sir David
Manning commented to Mr Bowen, Mr Matthew Rycroft
(Mr Blair’s
Private
Secretary for Foreign Affairs) and Mr Nicholas Cannon
(Mr Blair’s Assistant
Private
Secretary for Foreign Affairs):
“Last
para[graph] shows scale of problem post-Saddam. We must keep
pushing for
this work
to be done.”172
362.
The UK
shared its draft military campaign objectives with the US
in
mid-February.
363.
Those
objectives relating to the post-conflict phase of
operations
emphasised
the role of the UN and the international community, and the UK’s
wish
to withdraw
from Iraq as soon as possible.
364.
The
objectives made no reference to the UK’s obligations
and
responsibilities
as an Occupying Power.
365.
There is no
indication that the objectives were linked to any
assessment
of feasibility
or the resources needed for implementation.
366.
Ministers
had expressed themselves “generally content” with the
draft
objectives
in January, but did not have an opportunity collectively to
discuss
the issues
raised until Mr Blair’s meeting on post-conflict issues on 6
March.
367.
Sir David
Manning described the objectives to Dr Rice as compatible with
but
not
identical to US objectives.
368.
Lord
Goldsmith’s approval of the objectives before publication is
addressed
in Section
6.2.
369.
On 11
February, Mr Bowen sent Sir David Manning a revised draft of
the UK’s
military
campaign objectives, incorporating comments from Mr Straw and
Whitehall
departments.173
Only DFID
offered comments on post-conflict issues.
370.
FCO concerns
centred on how to present any reference to regime
change.
172
Manuscript
comment Manning on Telegram 196 Washington to FCO London, 12
February 2003,
‘Iraq “Day
After”: US Makes Initial Planning Public’.
173
Minute
Bowen to Manning, 11 February 2003, ‘Iraq: Military Campaign
Objectives’ attaching
Paper Cabinet
Office, February 2003, ‘Iraq: Military Campaign
Objectives’.
372