9.4 |
June 2005 to May 2006
402.
It was
envisaged that the Sunni insurgent leaders were likely to wish to
discuss,
among other
things, a timetable for MNF withdrawal from Iraq and the conditions
under
which it
might be possible. They might also wish to discuss prisoner
releases, an end
to house
raids, possible future amnesties, the conduct and integrity of the
elections,
federalism,
and employment in the Iraqi armed forces and security
forces.
403.
On 4 November,
the ISOG commissioned a number of papers for the
meeting
of DOP(I)
on 15 November.187
These
included papers on Sunni outreach, election
prospects,
“the centrists” and the security strategy in the South (including
Iraqiisation).
404.
The ISOG also
discussed the variety of plans and matrices being maintained
by
departments
to track activity in Iraq. They acknowledged that it was not
practical to join
them all
together, but the point was made that “any work reflected in the
matrices should
be ‘real’
and funded” and should reflect UK work only.
405.
The ISOG also
commissioned a review of the 2005 Iraq Strategy, to be led by
the
Cabinet
Office.
406.
On 8 November,
the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1637
(2005).188
407.
Annexed to the
resolution was a letter from Prime Minister Ja’afari to the
President
of the
Security Council requesting an extension of the mandate for
international forces in
Iraq, and
by a letter from Secretary Rice confirming that they would stay as
requested.
408.
Prime Minister
Ja’afari wrote that:
“The Iraqi
security forces, which are growing in size, capacity and experience
day
by day,
need more time to fill out their ranks, fully equip themselves and
complete
their
training with a view to assuming responsibility for all security
matters and
providing
adequate security for the Iraqi people. Until such time as Iraqi
security
forces
assume full responsibility for Iraq’s security, we need the
continued support of
the
international community, including the participation of the
Multi-National Force, in
order to
establish lasting peace and security in Iraq.”
409.
The resolution
extended the mandate for the MNF established by resolution
1546
until 31
December 2006. The mandate would be reviewed either at the request
of
the
Government of Iraq or no later than 15 June 2006. As in
resolution1546, the new
resolution
also declared that the Security Council would terminate the mandate
“earlier
if requested
by the Government of Iraq”.
187
Letter
Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 8 November 2005,
‘Iraq Senior Officials Group’.
188
UN Security
Council Resolution 1637 (2005).
557