Minute cabinet office junior official to manning iraq CobR round up of key events 9 april

0J Peter Watkins Simon McDonald John Scarlett Desmond Bowen IRAQ: COBR ROUND UP OF KEY EVENTS - 9 April I enclose today's round-up. DEGEMeNHEL • Indian Parliament passes a resolution 'deploring' military action in aq, amid calls from opposition parties for Gol to condemn the 'barbaric' US action. Pressure of Gol to take a stronger position against military action likely to ease as Parliament turns its attention to a role in post-conflict Iraq. GCC Foreign Ministers express solidarity with Kuwait, call for Iragis to govern Iraqis and for a UN role. • Greek government and opposition condemn the killing of two cameramen and journalist in Baghdad; blanket media coverage describes 'attack' as deliberate US forces' attempt at censorship. Greek EU Presidency circulates a draft OSCE Permanent Council Statement on media issues in Iraq for coordination of EU views (FCO aiming to head this off on basis Iraq not an OSCE issue.) • Jordan: Temperature rises a little with death of Jordanian journalist. Prince Hassan puts himself forward as a mediator. US military officer shot outside hotel yesterday - minor injuries. Humanitarian • Law and order / looting: ICRC have reported to DFID violent looting in Baghdad, and an almost complete breakdown of law and order in many areas; highlighted especially the looting of a psychiatric hospital, where individuals reportedly attacked and in some cases raped. An ICRC employee remains unaccounted for since his vehicle came under fire on Tuesday afternoon. ICRC say they are temporarily DECL SIFIED Muzzahim Al lannint, and other tribal sheikhs; discussions to form a local representative committee will continue. • Chalabi and perhaps c. 500 Free Iraq Fighters deployed by US in Talil airbase, being equipped and trained by US. US intentions unclear • As the campaign has developed, some UK maritime and air assets have fulfilled their role and are preparing to leave theatre in the next few days. • Spanish 'SPS Galicia' arrived in Umm Qasr, but Spain has asked for no publicity for the moment. Post conflict planning • Foreign Secretary briefs Villepin on Hillsborough. Villepin repeats that he recognises must be a period of 'security stabilisation' but that UN would be needed to legitimise reconstruction. • Saudi Arabia: Prince Saud (Foreign Minister) reiterates the importance of putting Iraqis in control as soon as possible, but accepts coalition will have a crucial role in ensuring security; GCC role seen as being limited to humanitarian efforts. • Chinese and Russian Vice-Foreign Ministers publicly agree principles for post-conflict Iraq (mainly, that the UN should have a leading role in reconstruction). • Oman: General Ali Majid tells HMA Muscat that Omani forces would not be used outside the GCC. DECLAGIFIED the whole city is becoming an issue of 'major concern • Humanitarian aid deliveries have begun in some areas of central Iraq under US control, including As Samawah and An Najaf. Middle East Peace Process Consular • Terry Lloyd's body currently planned to be repatriated 11 April. • FCO investigating possibility of using 'Freedom Radio' to broadcast regular appeals for information on missing British and other nationals, especially missing colleagues of Terry Lloyd and missing Islamic Relief workers. Public mood • Only 7 protests involving 250 protestors noted yesterday, mostly in Belfast. Community tension across the UK remains low. • Reports, yet to be confirmed by police, that 20 people, possibly Iraqis, detained by police after a demonstration and break-in at former Iraqi Interests Section of Jordanian Embassy, London; intent/faction not yet known. season in the summer. However retail margins remain healthy. Air travel • BA are planning to move the bulk of their operations back from Larnaca to the Gulf States. Dubai will be re-established as the crew slip point for UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman over the weekend. Flights to Kuwait remain suspended. Flights to Saudi will continue to operate via Larnaca. Cabinet Office 9 April 03 DEGLASSIFIED