Iragi WMD
Thank you for your letter of 16 May, outlining
progress in uncovering hard evidence of Iragi prohibited
handling.
weapons programmes. You asked for our views on media
I agree that we have pro-actively to confront some of
the negative media about the lack of Iragi WMD, and work to
finds
ensure that some of the evidence that is coming to light
its way into the public domain.
Or, as you say, the
justification.
media will remain camped on the position of No evidence, No
In the absence of independent validation of
Coalition WMD finds, the media are playing a crucial role
in setting public opinion.
Having an effective media
this.
strategy, agreed inter-departmently, will help address
I understand that this wider issue
is being
addressed under MoD leadership.
The idea of working with the BBC Panorama programme on
Iragi WMD, seems an excellent way to take the strategy
forward in the short term.
Providing background briefing,
right direction
and unobtrusively helping point the programme makers in the
should
uncovered.
help bring to light some of the hard evidence that is being
It will be important to ensure that Panorama
maintains its overall independence, and that we play a
supporting, not a leading, role in directing the programme.
However, we should not regard this as an exclusive for
Panorama. One programme, by itself, will not persuade a
sceptical audience.
Rather, we should work with a range of
journalists to ensure that the message comes across clearly
and coherently.
DEGLAScinED

(Simon McDonald)
Principal Private Secretary
Vauxhall Cross
DECLASSIFIED