The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
753.
DOP(I) met on
25 May.368
Mr Blair
told the meeting that the UK should focus on:
•
the
development of the Iraqi Security Forces;
•
seeing
progress in Basra; and
•
supporting
the Iraqi Government’s efforts to restore security and
electricity
provision
in Baghdad.
754.
In relation to
Basra, Mr Blair said that “we needed clarity over our troops’
activities.
They should
not simply be in Basra to provide a target or justification for the
activities of
violent
groups.”
755.
Ministers
agreed that the action points set out in Sir Nigel Sheinwald’s
letter of
23 May
should be pursued.
756.
Prime Minister
Maliki and Vice President Tariq Hashemi visited Basra on
31 May.369
Maj Gen
Cooper described it as “an entirely Iraqi affair, with MNF and
diplomatic
personnel
not involved”.
757.
During his
visit, Prime Minister Maliki declared a state of emergency in
Basra,
758.
The
Guardian reported
that:
“He
denounced a series of killings and kidnappings that Sunni religious
leaders
have blamed
on Shia-run death squads, saying: ‘We will beat with an iron fist
on the
heads of
gangs who are manipulating security’.”
368
Minutes, 25
May 2006, DOP(I) meeting.
369
Minute
Cooper, 1 June 2006, ‘MND(SE) – Southern Iraq Update – 1 June
2006’.
370
The
Guardian, 31 May
2006, State of
emergency for Basra.
614