The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

and to nudge them towards choosing figures that would share this approach, and be

more interested in delivering good governance in Basra than lining their own pockets

and giving in to or actively supporting the men of violence.”

732. On 18 April, Baghdad was hit by a string of vehicle bomb attacks, which killed

almost 200 people, including 140 in one incident at a food market in the Shia‑dominated

Sadriya district.401

733. In mid-April, the six Sadrist Ministers withdrew from their positions in the Iraqi

Government, citing the continued presence of US forces in Iraq.402

734. Mr Blair’s Private Secretary told him on 20 April that it was “becoming apparent

that this was a Muqtada initiative”.403

735. On 19 April, Mr Browne told the House of Commons in a written statement

that transition to PIC had taken place in Maysan the previous day.404 The statement

continued:

“Establishing Provincial Iraqi Control does not guarantee Maysan is a benign

environment in security terms, or that future challenges may not arise, but it does

mean the Iraqi security forces are judged now to be able to respond effectively to

those challenges themselves.”

736. Maysan was the third province within MND(SE) to be transferred to PIC, Muthanna

and Dhi Qar having done so in July and September 2006. This left Basra as the only

province for which the UK had yet to hand responsibility to the Iraqi Government.

737. On 20 April, Ms Aldred chaired a meeting of the Iraq Senior Officials Group which

considered an IPU paper on reconciliation.405 Mr Blair’s Private Secretary suggested that

the paper should be made more specific in a number of areas, including Sunni outreach.

738. A revised version of IPU paper was submitted to Mr Blair’s Private Secretary later

the same day.406

739. A separate paper entitled ‘Engagement and Reconciliation in Iraq’ drafted by

the MOD and Lt Gen Lamb was also submitted.407 Neither paper made reference to

the other.

401 BBC News, 18 April 2007, Up to 200 killed in Baghdad bombs.

402 BBC News, 18 April 2007, Sadrist pullout draws mixed reaction.

403 Minute Banner to Prime Minister, 20 April 2007, ‘Iraq update, 20 April’.

404 House of Commons, Official Report, 19 April 2007, columns 11WS‑12WS.

405 Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 20 April 2007, ‘Iraq Senior Officials Group’.

406 Paper IPU, 20 April 2007, ‘Iraq: Reconciliation: Forward Plan’.

407 Letter Beadle to Banner, 20 April 2007, ‘Iraq: Engagement and Reconciliation in Iraq’ attaching Paper

[MOD and Lamb], ‘Engagement and Reconciliation in Iraq’.

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