النص مستخرج آلياً من صورة الوثيقة أو من ملف قديم، وقد يحتوي أخطاء في بعض الكلمات أو ترتيب الأسطر. الملف الأصلي هو المرجع.
IRAQ: BRITISH REINFORCEMENT IN BAGHDAD
I attended yesterday's Chiefs of Staff meeting to consider the possibility of 16 Air Assault Brigade reinforcing the coalition presence in Baghdad.
The starting point was that the security situation is characterised by violent crime and ineffective policing. There is no judiciary to speak of The violence is not directed towards the and no detention facilities.
coalition but is of a criminal nature.
2.
The Americans are seized of the need to get a grip on security in Baghdad. They understand that Baghdad is the centre of gravity and that imposing security there is necessary in order to avoid strategic failure.
Nevertheless, 3 Infrantry Division is not prepared to change radically its method of operation. That said, 1 Armoured Division (US) is due to be in Baghdad, on roulement, from the end of the first week in June. 4,000 (US) military police are now deploying to Baghdad. Overall, there are 25,000 US troops in Baghdad and the latest report was that 11,000 were on patrol or static guard in the last 24 hours.
The proposition is that the deployment of 16 Air Assault Brigade
3.
could assist in achieving three effects on the ground:
a.
gaining the confidence of the people of Baghdad;
b.
building the confidence of the embryonic police force and helping with its training;
C.
creating conditions which deter criminality.
The tasks envisaged for 16 Brigade would involve information operations;- patrolling on the streets; and instruction for the police.
There was considerable debate around the table on the merits of
4.
the idea. There was no doubt that the Americans would get to grips with DECLASSIFIED
British area of responsibility more vulnerable (especially on the Humint, 10 and logistics side). He doubted that the deployment of some 1600 British troops could operate to achieve the desired effects over a period of 45 days, so as to change the strategic situation in Baghdad.
6.
Advice is being put to Mr Hoon today, with his Private Office writing to you before the weekend.
DESMOND BOWEN
23 May 2003
DECLASSIFIED