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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
639.  Mr Straw and Ms Hewitt wrote to Mr Blair on 22 May, reflecting on
Baroness Symons’ visit:
“Our main objective has been to create a favourable political atmosphere in which
UK companies can position themselves to bid for subcontract work from these initial
US-funded projects.
“However, we understand that as yet only 180 of the 3,500 companies which
have registered with Bechtel as potential subcontractors … are British. A share in
the commercial effort proportionate to our contributions to the military campaign
will require a higher level of commitment on the part of UK firms if they are not to
be squeezed out by international competition. We could also try to secure firmer
political guarantees from the US, and aim for a more co-ordinated HMG approach
(e.g. involving ECGD, DFID and MOD …).
“The feedback on the action we have taken so far from UK business and
organisations such as the BCCB and the CBI has been positive. We have created
the conditions in which UK companies can pursue business in a favourable climate,
and contracts for British companies are now coming through. This is encouraging.
But it is for the companies themselves to take advantage of these favourable
conditions …”377
640.  The Inquiry has seen no indications that Mr Straw and Ms Hewitt received a reply,
or that Mr Blair saw their letter.
641.  On 23 May, TPUK and the US Embassy London held a joint seminar on US-funded
reconstruction contracts for Iraq.378 The event was attended by representatives of 250
companies “located in Britain”.
642.  On 29 May, the UK Deputy to Ambassador Ole Olsen, the Danish Head of ORHA
(South), reported to Baroness Symons’ Private Secretary that some ORHA(South)
secondees were, in addition to their ORHA work, “scouting around” for commercial
opportunities for their parent companies.379 The UK Deputy commented that UK
secondees should be doing the same.
643.  Baroness Symons’ Private Secretary passed the record of the conversation to
Mr Henderson, and advised that Baroness Symons was keen to “make the most” of this
opportunity and would welcome advice on “how best this might be done”.
644.  Mr Allan responded later that day, advising that the BTI official seconded to ORHA
in March (and now based in Baghdad) was already “playing the sort of role” proposed
377 Letter Straw and Hewitt to Blair, 22 May 2003, ‘Iraq: Commercial Opportunities and UK Companies’.
378 Trade Partners UK, Press Release, 23 May 2003, Meeting on redevelopment of Iraq sponsored by
Trade Partners UK and the US Embassy.
379 Email UK [junior official] to Henderson, 30 May 2003, ‘Basra Commercial Opportunities’.
470
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