The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
566.
Sir Emyr also
said that nearly all 240 hospitals were now functioning and
most
schools had
opened by the end of June. He also described progress with
currency
reform and
emphasised that it was crucial for Member States to transfer funds
belonging
to the
former Iraqi regime to the Development Fund for Iraq.
567.
Finally, Sir
Emyr reported that the CPA had enacted human rights
legislation,
and that
the Central Criminal Court was now up and running; 600 Iraqi judges
were now
presiding
over 500 Iraqi courts.
568.
UKMIS New York
told the FCO that:
“While
generally welcomed, France, Germany and Russia stress three
key
considerations:
the need to bring in those previously excluded; the need to bring
on
board
Iraq’s neighbours; and the need for a substantive UN role. All
three mention
the idea of
a national conference under UN auspices.”
569.
On 21
November, the Oil-for-Food programme closed, after eight years
in
operation.318
This met
the terms of resolution 1483, which had called for it to be
wound
up within
six months.
570.
Responsibility
for remaining activity passed to the CPA and the Iraqi Ministry
of
Trade. A
one month “buffer stock” of key commodities would be purchased by
the World
Food
Programme, but it was not expected that there would be a threat to
food supply.
571.
From 18 to 22
November President Bush visited the UK.319
572.
Before the
visit, Mr Rycroft gave Mr Blair a copy of a paper
entitled ‘Iraq: Security’,
for
discussion with President Bush.320
The
document was described as “Jeremy’s paper”
and the
Inquiry assumes that it was written by Sir Jeremy
Greenstock.
“The
timetable for transfer of power to transitional government is
challenging but can
be done.
Momentum is there. One thing that can throw this off course
is security.
Must be our
highest priority from now until the handover. Current
insurgency/terrorist
campaign
may not pose a traditional strategic threat. But mounting rates of
attacks
on
Coalition will:
•
sap
domestic public and political support;
•
wean away
allies who have less of a stake in this than US/UK;
•
risk
withdrawal of civilian volunteer staff in the CPA and
governorates;
•
encourage
the current insurgency to become a widespread, popular
318 Annotated
Agenda, 27 November 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation
meeting.
319
BBC
News, 18
November 2003, Bush
arrives for state visit.
320
Minute
Rycroft to Prime Minister, 18 November 2003, ‘Bush Visit – Private
Talks’.
321
Paper
Greenstock, 18 November 2003, ‘Iraq: Security’.
300