9.4  |  June 2005 to May 2006

they are responsible for most suicide attacks. Jihadist groups are now predominantly

Iraqi. We see no sign that their campaign is abating.”

477.  Iraq’s parliamentary election took place on 15 December. Mr Patey reported to the

FCO that the day had passed off peacefully with no major security events.224

478.  Initial predictions of turnout were that it had been significantly higher than for the

January 2005 elections, particularly in Sunni Arab areas, including Anbar.

479.  The election was monitored by more than 300,000 observers and the initial

assessment of the International Mission for Iraqi Elections was that it had generally met

international standards.

480.  Mr Asquith told the Inquiry:

“I think we did enough to get them [Sunni Arabs] to vote in December 2005. Did we

do enough thereafter in continuing that relationship? Possibly not. In retrospect,

I think we thought we had done the job.”225

481.  Mr Straw and Secretary Rice discussed the election on 17 December.226

482.  Mr Straw said that DOP(I) was concerned that the Iraqi parties should have access

to expertise on forming a coalition, including developing a coalition agreement and

methods of dispute resolution. The UK was talking to the Italians and the Germans about

what expertise they might offer.

483.  Papers for the final DOP(I) meeting of 2005, on 20 December, included a

post‑election work plan by the IPU, an update on progress with Iraqiisation and a note

on the handover of security responsibility.227

484.  The work plan described the UK’s immediate objectives post-election as:

“• A short and well-managed interregnum between Transitional Government and

the next Government, leading to;

• Rapid formation of a competent and representative Government, legitimate

in the eyes of all Iraq’s communities, followed by;

• A limited number of key decisions (which serve the Iraqi people and

partnership between Iraq and the coalition) taken quickly and visibly, in parallel

with;

• Increasing Sunni Arab political participation and;

• Smooth progress in the South-East towards transition

224  eGram 20961/05 Baghdad to FCO London, 16 December 2005, ‘Iraq: Elections: Election Day’.

225  Private hearing, 15 June 2010, page 50.

226  Letter Straw to Sheinwald, 19 December 2005, ‘Conversation with US Secretary of State,

17 December’.

227  Agenda Cabinet Office, 20 December 2005, ‘DOP(I) Meeting: Agenda’.

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