Letter chakrabarti to jay safety and security of uk secondees in iraq

Sir Michael Jay KCMG PUSS FCO Dear Michael, SAFETY AND SECURITY OF UK SECONDEES IN IRAQ Like you, I had become increasingly concerned about the recent deterioration of security and the threat it might pose to UK staff working in Baghdad. So I am very pleased that last week's joint FCO/DFID security assessment mission to Baghdad took place. recommendations they are making have followed a thorough assessment of the situation and of what needs to be put in place to ensure adequate protection for our respective I support the conclusions. Their recommendations should be considered as mandatory for all UK staff. DFID is working closely and urgently with FCO colleagues to provide the security package that is now required. As a first step, we are immediately contracting armed support services, using a commercial organisation, to provide protection for the DIFD staff in Baghdad. We looked at a number of such organisations and have shared al this information with the FCO Security Unit for their consideration, and with the aim of a joint DFID/FCO contract for the longer-term. We will also contribute DFID assets to help cover wider HMG needs by offering any spare vehicle capacity to help build up a wider UK pool of appropriate vehicles as quickly as possible. As a joint DFID/FCO effort, we intend to The consignment will also include a pply of hand held communications edient tomoronsee to the see ste We will, of course, continue to maintain a careful watch on the evolving security situation in Baghdad, and also in Basrah where the threat would seem to be increasing. Your fing Suma Chakrabarti DECLASSIFIED