9.7 | May
2008 to October 2009
385.
Security in
Basra was “improved” since his last visit in December 2008 and
there
were
“strong signs of economic growth”. He considered it “vital that we
continue to assist
the
Basrawis with their economic revival”. He concluded his report to
Ministers and
senior
staff within the MOD with some reflections on the lessons that had
been learned
in
Iraq:
“As our
operations come to an end in Iraq we must be conscious that it has
at times
been a
difficult and bumpy ride. We will not be universally praised for
what we have
achieved
and some will be overtly critical but we have achieved what we set
out to
do and we
leave Basra in good shape, secure and confident about the future.
But
it is also
essential that we learn the lessons from this campaign and transfer
them
effectively
to Afghanistan to ensure success there. Tactical military lessons
have
been
learned and it is the higher level political-military issues that
we must now
focus on;
whilst the Theatres may be different, political ambition and
constraint will
continue to
influence military operation and we must not make the same
mistakes
in
Afghanistan that we have made in Iraq. We must do what is right
militarily in a
dynamic and
complex environment and must not allow long term political
aspiration
to drive
what we do – to do so invites failure. We would do well to conduct
a formal
and open
appraisal of the operational and strategic lessons we have
identified
across
government – this should not be seen as a means to apportion blame
for
what did
not go well but rather as an opportunity to ensure success in
Afghanistan
and
thereafter.”
386.
On 31 March,
ACM Stirrup visited Basra to attend the Transfer of
Authority
Ceremony
for the handover of Division command to the US.155
His
Principal Staff Officer
reported
that “clear positive public and private messages … [were] received
from all
Iraqi and
US participants”. In calls on senior US and Iraqi officers and in a
speech at
the handover
ceremony, ACM Stirrup reinforced that:
“This was
not the end, just an important milestone:
“This did
not represent the end of UK and UK Mil engagement – indeed, it
really
marked a
new beginning:
“On a
military level we remained focused … on our Maritime and
Training
responsibilities
…
“UK looked
to establish a positive and long term military relationship with
Iraq based
on
partnership, mutual understanding and mutual self
interest.”
387.
ACM Stirrup’s
Principal Staff Officer observed that “In an otherwise very
upbeat
day, the
only thread of concern that ran through meetings was the degree of
change
(and
drawdown) taking place around Iraq”.
155
Minute
Johnstone to PS/SofS [MOD], 1 April 2009, ‘CDS Visit to Iraq
(Basra) to attend the MND(SE)
Transfer of
Authority Ceremony – 31 Mar 09’.
447