Email junior official to perm sec hmt iraq secondees

Iraqsecondees2004 0106.doc DECLASSIFIED With the Rashid no longer available, the alternatives have been dormitory-style accommodation inside the Presidential Palace or nore private accommodation in trailer units. However, the trailer units offer very little protection in the event of a mortar or rocket attack and UK staff have been advised against using them. Current position Following a multi-departmental review of security and accommodation in Baghdad, the FCO has initiated a building program that will create dedicated living quarters in converted trailer units fitted under the hard roof of a covered car park. This site is still within the protected 'Green Zone'. '. Completion of this work is within sight and the new units should be available by the end of this month In the interim HMT and Bank of England have, through the FCO, received an offer of accommodation for a small number (up to three of economists to billet with the officers of the UK's military deployment to the command and control operation in Baghdad This accommodation is in 'Maude House' , a large villa-type building which is also within the Green Zone. Maude House offers a solid roof and very good 'point' security. Just recently, however, Sir Jeremy Greenstock has expressed some reservations about creating divisions among the UK secondee community He will be here later this week and we can discuss these concerns with him The offer from the UK military is a direct result of the recognition by General Figgers. the most semor UK military officer in Baghdad of the cential role that economists play in post-conflict reconstructio: His desire to see UK economists back in Baghdait is mat DECLASSIFIED Issues that remain Security issues remain for volunteers who wish to spend time in Baghdad. It will be necessary to make these risks very clear to anyone considering volunteering • The Green Zone and other CPA compounds in the regions remain areas that are singled out by terrorists. That will continue to present real risks. The number of missile and mortar attacks on the Green Zone has decreased since the capture of Saddam Hussein and related military operations in and around Baghdad. However it is too early to say if the trend is downward and while there may be fewer attacks targeted against the British The so is addressing those issues this week • Travel from the Green Zone to Ministries and Central Bank is an important part of effective working in Baghdad. Although all journeys are undertaken in convoys of armoured vehicles there are still risks involved with travel to and from the Ministries. • All public buildings in Iraq are targets for attack by car or lorry bombs (so-called vehicle-based improvised explosive devices or VBIEDs). The Central Bank and Ministry of Finance, in common with other ministries, are protected from but are still attack by suitably placed concrete barriers potential targets for attack The second line of this page may not be clearly readable. It reads: " ... to [name redacted] in his calls during a visit to Washington before ...". DECLASSIFIED sian to laver to bagndad. The requirements for training and briefing before secondment demand attendance at a dedicated hostile environment course. The next such course is on 18" January. Beyond that, there is a course on 15l February. If new volunteers are to be sent to Baghdad before the middle of February they must attend the 18h January course. Places are available, but need to be booked as soon as possible. Attendance on this course need not necessarily lead to immediate deployment. Do you agree that volunteers who are fully aware of the risks and have been identified as holding skills useful to the future success of the CPA should be permitted to attend this course and be seconded to Baghdad if their line manager agrees? For any members of staff who would be returning to Baghdad following a period working in London, there is no reason related to concerns about accommodation for their return to be delayed beyond an appraisal of the ongoing security risks outlined above Do you agree that anyone volunteering to return to Baghdad and who is fully aware of the security risks should be allowed to make arrangements for their return? DECLASSIFIED