The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

“very tight”.148 IECI activity was also visible in the South – registration forms and

explanatory material would be distributed with the November food ration.

287. Maj Gen Rollo wrote:

“My main concern is security. I will press the local police in particular to provide

the necessary protection for the IECI offices … We will provide the back-up …”

288. At the meeting of the Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq on 28 October, Mr Straw

said the election was “broadly on track, thanks to the work of Carlos Valenzuela and

his team”.149

289. In discussion, a member of the Group commented that the Iraqi public was starting

to believe the elections would happen.

290. Mr Hoon briefed the Group on US military plans for a “short, sharp campaign”

in Fallujah. UK forces would be in place in North Babil by 2 November. He said that

the UK needed to press the US to ensure that its operation would be as targeted as

possible. Many civilians had already left the area in anticipation of an attack.

291. Mr Hoon told the Group that the IIG should be encouraged to make political

contacts with Sunni leaders in Fallujah so that there would not be a political vacuum

following the military operation.

292. In discussion, a member of the Group observed that popular support for the

insurgents within Fallujah was waning.

293. The Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq concluded that the UK should emphasise to

the US that:

“… British Ministers needed to understand the plan for military action in Fallujah and

be given sufficient prior warning of the commencement of operations to have the

opportunity to intervene politically.”

294. By 29 October preliminary airstrikes had begun.150

295. Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely told the Inquiry that there was:

“… a great deal of preparatory, what the Americans would call shaping of the

battlefield, in particular quite a lot of artillery and air-delivered munitions …”151

296. On 31 October, Lt Gen Kiszely reported that between 50 and 75 percent of the

inhabitants of Fallujah were estimated to have left the town.152

148 Report Rollo, 27 October 2004, ‘GOC MND (SE) – Southern Iraq Update – 27 Oct 04’.

149 Minutes, 28 October 2004, Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq meeting.

150 Minute Dowse to Sheinwald, 29 October 2004, ‘Iraq update – 29 October’.

151 Public hearing, 14 December 2009, page 16.

152 Minute Kiszely to CDS, 31 October 2004, ‘SBMR-I’s Weekly Report (135) of 31 Oct 04’.

442