The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

335.  On Iraq, Sir Nigel Sheinwald suggested that the main areas to cover were:

“• Unambiguous commitment to elections on time in January.

• US and UK to stay the course, but MNF will be able to draw down as Iraqi

capability increases next year.

• Fallujah.”

336.  During their meeting on 12 November, Mr Blair asked President Bush whether

Iraqiisation of security was having any impact on the ability of terrorists to operate.178

337.  Mr Blair said that it was important to keep reiterating that if insurgents laid down

their weapons then operations like the one in Fallujah would cease.

338.  After returning to the UK, Sir Nigel Sheinwald wrote to Mr Straw’s Principal Private

Secretary to describe the follow up work required.179 He wrote:

“I discussed Iraq in 2005 in some detail with Condi [Rice]. But we need to put flesh

on these bones too. The issues are familiar: improving security; follow up to Sharm

el Sheikh; getting to elections and our 2005 strategy. Action: FCO to send advice

this week please in the run up to the Sharm meeting.”

339.  Lt Gen McColl called on Mr Blair in London on 16 November.180 He said that in the

election in January, and especially during the election scheduled for late 2005, some

would be calling for the MNF-I to leave. He advised that the UK “should use this to our

advantage, not least in terms of empowering the moderates”.

340.  Mr Blair said he agreed and “had said as much to President Bush” the week

before.

341.  Mr Blair added: “There was no question of setting a timetable for withdrawal, but

we could indicate that once certain conditions had been fulfilled the role of the MNF-I

would no longer be necessary.”

342.  Lt Gen McColl told Mr Blair that:

“… the decision to deploy the Black Watch to North Babil had been absolutely right.

The UK were possibly the only nation who could influence US military thinking.

This was why our assistance had been sought, and why it was so important that we

were able to offer that assistance.”181

178  Letter Phillipson to Adams, 12 November 2004, ‘Prime Minister’s meeting with President Bush,

12 November’.

179  Letter Sheinwald to Adams, 16 November 2004, ‘Prime Minister’s visit to Washington: follow up’.

180  Letter Phillipson to Baker, 16 November 2004, ‘Prime Minister’s meeting with General John McColl,

16 November’.

181  Letter Phillipson to Baker, 16 November 2004, ‘Prime Minister’s meeting with General John McColl,

16 November’.

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