The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

609.  Mr Brenton also reported that it was not clear how that USAID contract related to a

separate contract “allegedly being let by the US Army Corps of Engineers” and reported

in the UK press on 9 March.

610.  On 11 March, “with the agreement of Ministers”, Mr David Warren, TPUK

Director International Group, hosted a meeting with representatives of a number of

UK companies to discuss possible post-conflict reconstruction opportunities in Iraq.356

He reported to Baroness Symons the following day that it had been a useful opportunity

to emphasise that UK policy was to secure Iraq’s disarmament. The group’s main

concern had been that the US was moving ahead quickly on reconstruction and UK

companies would be frozen out.

611.  At Prime Minister’s Questions on 12 March, Dr Vincent Cable asked whether

Mr Blair was aware that the US Government had “pointedly excluded British and foreign

firms” from bidding for US contracts.357 Mr Blair rejected Dr Cable’s charge that Mr Bush

regarded international co-operation with contempt.

612.  Mr Mike O’Brien, FCO Minister of State, visited Washington on 13 March, to

discuss post-conflict issues with US interlocutors.358

613.  A senior official from the US National Security Council (NSC) briefed Mr O’Brien

on US plans for the oil sector.359 In that context, Mr O’Brien emphasised the importance

that the UK Government attached to UK companies having “a fair crack of the whip” in

competing for contracts. He accepted that it was reasonable for US companies to be

the recipients of US money for emergency contracts, but the field should be opened up

“once Iraqi money came on stream”. The NSC official agreed, and said that it would not

be US policy to restrict oil sector contracts to US companies.

614.  Mr O’Brien also called on Mr Andrew Natsios, USAID Administrator.360 Mr Natsios

advised that, for security reasons, USAID had invited only a few US companies

with the necessary clearances to bid for the 17 primary reconstruction contracts.

There were no such constraints on subcontracts, and he hoped that UK companies and

non‑governmental organisations (NGOs) with the right expertise would be successful in

securing those contracts.

615.  In response to a question from Mr O’Brien, Mr Natsios said that it would be

possible for UK companies to acquire the necessary security clearances to bid for

primary contracts. Mr O’Brien agreed to send Mr Natsios a list of “trustworthy” UK

companies.

356 Minute Warren to PS/Symons, 12 March 2003, ‘Iraq contingency planning: record of meeting with

UK companies.

357 House of Commons, Official Report, 12 March 2003, column 287.

358 Telegram 341 Washington to FCO London, 13 March 2003, ‘Iraq Day After: Mr O’Brien’s Visit’.

359 Letter Gooderham to Chilcott, 13 March 2003, Iraq: Day After: The Oil Sector’.

360 Telegram 341 Washington to FCO London, 13 March 2003, ‘Iraq Day After: Mr O’Brien’s Visit’.

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