Minute fco junior official to ps fco iraq briefing for visit 25-26 november 2003

SUBJECT: IRAQ: BRIEFING FOR VISIT - 25-26 NOVEMBER 2003 1. The Secretary of State will visit Iraq from 25-26 November. I submit a programme and briefing as requested. 2. Also attached for information are: a paper on the international presence in Iraq following the creation of a transitional government (Flag C) MOD paper on the future security structure (Flag D) copy of a minute from John Buck on spouses visiting Iraq (Flag E) Head, Bilateral Section IPU Tel: Fax: TIAL DECLASSIFIED Background 1. There are now 177 British staff in the CPA, the British Office in Baghdad and Jeremy Greenstock's office. 138 of these are civilians (some civil servants, some consultants), for whom FCO and DFID are responsible. Around 100 of these are in Baghdad, 50 are in Basra and 18 are in the Governorates. 43 are FCO staff. See attached table and staff list (Flags A and B). The number of civilian staff will grow towards 200 with, for example the arrival of additional staff in Basra and police trainers. 2. Recruitment and succession planning are difficult, for obvious reasons. We have to rely on volunteers. A number lined up for deployment have dropped out in recent weeks, particularly after the attack on the Rasheed Hotel. A few staff in Baghdad also decided to leave early. The staffing requirements are just about manageable at the moment, but will of course become more difficult if security concerns increase. 3. DFID, through Crown Agents, is recruiting 37 new staff for Basra. 15 of these should be deployed this month, including 7 departing TA officers reengaged on civilian contracts. Candidates have been identified for most of the remaining posts, and should be deployed in December and early January. Basra have requested some further staff: the number of this requirement is now 19. We should be able to fill most of these posts from FCO and OGDs. 4. Before civilian staff are deployed in Iraq, they attend security training courses and receive briefing from FCO/DFID/MOD. They receive further briefing on arrival. Some, particularly those who arrived in the early days, feel that their briefing could have been fuller' and have prepared them better for the unique circumstances. The training and briefing has been refined, and will continue to be so in the light of feedback from staff 5. Our civilian staff have been remarkably resilient despite the security setbacks of the last few weeks. But many are also increasingly nervous about the risks. The interim accommodation arrangements in Baghdad, following the attack on the Rasheed Hotel. are increasingly uncomfortable. though steps are now being taken to improve them. DECKAOGIFIED *export secury managers have been apported to Dagndad and Dasta to manage assets, co-ordinate with the US and brief staff. They report to Sir J Greenstock and Sir H Synnott respectively, and are also responsible between them for security advice to the UK-staffed Governorate Teams. They are in daily touch with SSU. Mobile Security 8. All travel outside the Secure Zones must be in full armoured convoys with a minimum of two vehicles. There are currently 52 armoured vehicles in Iraq, shared between Baghdad and Basra, and 6 Governorate Teams. 23 more will arrive in theatre by the end of November. A further 40 will arrive by February. All such convoys include a 4-man armed protection team supplied under contract by Control Risks Group (CRG). There are a total of 26 teams, with 104 men. A further 6 teams will deploy as additional armoured vehicles arrive. Static Security 9. Security for the CPA Green (Secure) Zone in Baghdad is provided by the US military and Global Security (a private British company). The unoccupied British Embassy compound (containing the partially-built Flat Pack Embassy) and the villa housing the British Office Baghdad are both guarded by a Gurkha contingent supplied under contract with Armorgroup. 10. Following the attack on the Rasheed Hotel, all other UK civilians in CPA Baghdad are currently accommodated in trailer parks within the Secure Zone. These units now benefit from physical security barriers which protect them against lateral bomb blast. However they remain vulnerable, particularly to mortar and rocket attack. We now have a green light to proceed with construction of new accommodation under hard cover (new trailers on the ground floor of a car park building). This-should be complete by mid-January. 11. UK CPA civilians required to work outside the Secure Zone (eg in Iragi Ministries) are protected in those locations by an Individual Bodyguard also supplied under contract by Control Risks Group. Security for the CPA headquarters in Basra is provided by the British military. DESHASSIFIED our own secury managers have in any case been making their own review of security in the Governorates where there are UK staff. Iraq Rep have also issued specific instructions to UK staff in the Governorates to take extra security precautions. Additional physical security measures, such as blast walls, bomb shelters, alarm systems and window protection, are also in the process of being implemented. 14. UK staff in the Governorates are subject to the same security procedures and discipline as UK staff in Baghdad and Basra (eg armoured cars and armed protection teams). Evacuation plans are being drawn up and tested Co-operation with DFID 15. FCO and DfID work together closely to assure the safety of all their staff in Iraq. Security assets (including armoured vehicles) have been shared to the benefit of all UK civilians in CPA. Security procedures are agreed between security advisers from both Departments. Relations with the US 16. There is an apparent US concern that the UK is providing better protection to its staff. This has been deemed necessary to meet our duty of care. After the last OSA visit and the bomb attack on the Al-Rashid hotel, we pressed for more security in and around the Secure Zone. Better patrolling and improved structures are now in place. Sir Jeremy Greenstock CMG KCMG Born 1943. Joined the FCO in 1969. Formerly UK Permanent Representative to the UN in New York (98-03). Sir Jeremy has previously been posted to Dubai, Washington, Riyadh and Paris. His previous London positions include Deputy Political Director and AUSS (Western and Southern Europe), DUS (Middle East/Eastern Europe) and DUS (Political Director). Married to Ann, two daughters and one son. DEGHASSIFIED Born in 1948. Formerly HMA Damascus (00-03). Henry has previously been posted to Caracas, Aden, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Windhoek. Married to Fiona, two daughters, two sons. DEGHASSLFIED The marteen cmosssy arreum boondad on monday so dune mou comanes. t consists of prefabricated office and accommodation units and has been part assembled on the old Embassy compound. It will house up to 40 staff. For security reasons work has stopped on the FPE and we will shortly secure and waterproof the facilities until the security situation is more permissive and work can continue. 3. Discussion are in progress on establishing a small bilateral British Unit in Basrah. The British Unit would establish local bilateral political links, develop commercial opportunities and handle some Consular enquiries. Commercial 4. UK firms are active in Iraq in a variety of sectors in Iraq's reconstruction. No overall figures are available for the UK share of CPA procurement, but figures on sub-contracting illustrate that we have a good story to tell commercially. The figures are for sub-contracting work from Bechtel, who have the main USAID contract for reconstruction work in Iraq. In September UK firms had won 16% of this work. This placed the UK 3rd after Iraqi firms (1" with 36% of sub-contracts) and US firms (2"d with 28% of work). 5. A CPA Project Management Office (PMO) has been set up to plan, contract, manage and deliver reconstruction, and is responsible for spending the additional $18.6 billion agreed by Congress. If we can secure a similar share to the 16% won with the original Bechtel contracts, it would be an enormous boost to UK companies. UK companies should also be well placed to compete for work funded by the Multi- Donor Trust Fund, set up after the Madrid Donors' Conference in October, having a strong record in winning contracts from the IFIs and the UN. Sectoral Update 6. Main achievements to date are as follows: • In October electricity supply surpassed pre-conflict levels, and has only dipped subsequently so that maintenance can take place during the cooler months when demand is low. • Food distribution is working, and supplies will continue after the UN Oil for Food programme ends. DEGLASSFIED CV Judge Wael Abdulattif Governor of Basrah Judge Wael Abdulattif was born in Basrah and practiced civil and criminal law before being disbarred and imprisoned by the old regime. He has held the post of Head Judge at Nasiriya. He was elected Governor of Basrah on 4 July by the interim local council with the support of all leading and religious parties and is also a member of Iraq's Governing Council. DECLABOIFIED