Telegram 41 fco london to baghdad iraq pursuing british interests in southern iraq

GRS 200 RESTRICTED FM FCO TO ROUTINE BO BAGHDAD TELNO 41 OF 041114Z AUGUST 03 AND TO ROUTINE IRAQREP, KUWAIT, DTI, UKVISAS INFO ROUTINE GULF POSTS, MODUK, DFID, , PJHQ UK TEL FROM SIR HILARY SYNNOTT, CPA SOUTH SUBJECT: IRAQ: PURSUING BRITISH INTERESTS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ SUMMARY 1. Small UK bilateral cell needed in Basra in advance of any Consulate. DETAIL 2. I understand that the FCO are rightly planning towards establishing a Consulate in Basra, looking at a December timescale. a recce team visited at the end of last week, although they wer constrained by security requirements and availability of help 3. I think that this is a sound objective. But it is not enough. It is not too soon to be looking at potential commercial opportunities in the South (a Dubai/Umm Qasr passenger ferry has just started; the international airport should start initial operations this month). And there are visa and consular demands from dual nationals, holders of British passports. As the situation eases, so we may expect a much increased flow of British visitors, including MPs etc. So there is a clear prospect of enhanced bilateral 4. Much as the UK Nationals, including myself, in CPA (South) would like to help over this, as you know we do not have the capacity. Nor would it be right to do so. As the FCO agreed with Bremer before my arrival, we are part of the CPA and I am answerable to Bremer. Time spent on bilateral work is time lost for CPA work, which would be apparent to other team members. That said, I would of course be glad to offer moral support and advice on the pursuit of bilateral interests, as others are doing for their national interests. DECLASSIFIED (***ADD RELEVANT GEOG DEPT] [***ADD RELEVANT GEOG DIR] 1 ADDITIONAL IRAQ/KUWAIT (IRA) 1 ATT GEN//C ADAMS 0 BANKE 0 BTI1 0 BTI2 0 CAOFF1 CAOFF2 DFID1 DFID2 0 ECGD 0 FSA HMT MOD NO 10 MAMIAN 9126 NNNN DECLASSIFIED