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12 April 2005
CJO
Copy to:
PS/Minister(AF)
Policy Director
PSO/CDS
DG Op Pol
DGCC
PS/PUS
ACDS(Ops)
Sec/CNS
Head of Sec(Iraq)
MA/CGS
PJHQ-Civ Sec
MA/DCDS(C)
IRAQ: EXPANSION OF THE UK AOR
1. Thank you for your minute (D/PJHQ/10/5341) of 12 April.
The Secretary of State has noted that, in line with previous authority, you
2.
plan to deploy forces to the northern limit of the extended UK Area of Operation (AO), flushing out any Iraqi forces encountered en route. Mr Hoon agrees that UK forces may exploit further north to take all of the Maysan Province into the UK AO, once Al Amarah is secure. He notes your assessment that this additional area is relatively quiet and that it should not add any unmanageable burden on UK forces.
Mr Hoon also notes that the CFLCC has asked CDS whether the UK
3.
could take on responsibility for the Basra and Maysan Provinces during Phase IV. Mr Hoon expects to discuss the UK's area of responsibility in Phase IV with the US Defense Secretary on Monday.
Signed on Original
P D WATKINS
PS/Secretary of State
DECLASSIFIED