The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

candidate for Minister of Defence. Mr Chaplin reported that UK and US officials were

continuing to encourage negotiation.

560.  Mr Chaplin reported that many Sunni Arabs were unhappy about the way in which

the new Government had been formed but were continuing negotiations in a “last ditch

attempt to secure acceptable Sunni representation”.

561.  The atmosphere had been soured by a series of incidents on 29 and 30 April.

A raid on the Baghdad office of the National Council for Dialogue on 29 April was

followed by a car-bombing of the same office the following day.

562.  Several senior politicians (including the TNA Speaker, Hajim al-Hassani, and one

of the Vice-Presidents, Ghazi Al Yawer) had complained about the Iraqi security forces’

violent entry into a number of Sunni mosques, and the arrest of 32 Sunni imams on

29 April. Mr Chaplin had seen no evidence that the arrests had sectarian motives, but

they were perceived by the Sunni Arab community as such.

563.  Looking forward to the months ahead, Mr Chaplin commented:

“It remains clear that significant Sunni figures are seeking a way back into the

political process for their community. They attach more importance to having a voice

in the constitutional debate and retrieving their position in the next elections than

the formation of this government. But having been led to believe that government

positions are on offer, there will be a correspondingly negative reaction if these

hopes are dashed, which will not help the next stage of negotiations over the

constitutional process. The Shia meanwhile find the Sunnis disorganised and

unreasonably demanding, given their boycott of the elections, and even those

who do not share fears of re-Ba’athification believe that many Sunnis have not yet

adjusted to the new realities of having to share power. The Kurds have made clear

publicly their support for Ja’afari’s government, but would be very uncomfortable

if credible Sunni representatives were not included.” 307

564.  On 3 May, members of the ITG were sworn in and formally took power.308

565.  Six of the seven vacant Ministerial posts were filled on 8 May.309 The final post,

Minister for Human Rights, was filled on an acting basis by another Minister for the

duration of the ITG310 after Mr Hashim al-Shible turned down the post shortly after the

TNA had approved his appointment.311

307  eGram 3762/05 Baghdad to FCO London, 2 May 2005, ‘Iraq; New Government: Finishing the Job’.

308  The Telegraph, 3 May 2005, Iraq’s new government sworn in.

309  BBC News, 8 May 2005, Iraq fills crucial cabinet post.

310  University of Utah Global Justice Project: Iraq, [undated], Government and Legislature – 2003 to date.

311  BBC News, 8 May 2004, Iraq fills crucial cabinet post.

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