CHIEFS OF STAFF MEETING: 15 APRIL
The Chiefs of Staff spent some time talking about the possible UK military
contribution to the post-conflict phase in Iraq. The general idea is to
provide a divisional headquarters and a brigade (of four battle groups).
On the basis of the emerging level of consent in Southern Iraq, they
believe that this brigade could look after, in security terms, the provinces
of Basra and Maysãn. The divisional headquarters would enable the British
to supervise two additional provinces, provided two brigades' worth of
troops (and two headquarters) were made available by either the
Americans or other coalition partners. MOD thinking revolves around
contributions from Denmark, Spain and Italy in the first instance, with the
additional option of integrating a putative GCC force in some manner.
There was some debate about which other provinces it was
2.
reasonable to assume security responsibility for. The existing provincial
arrangements are on the attached map and there are various pros and
cons in respect of provinces adjacent to Basra and Maysãn: Iranian
border, population centres (eg Al Kut), lines of communication etc. There
was concern that the civilian administrative boundaries of ORHA might
not coincide with those of the military structure. ORHA's planning has
been based on three regions but given more resources they could operate
on a provincial basis. Some of this will become clearer after Mr Hoon
speaks to Mr Rumsfeld later today.
3. Withdrawals were also on the agenda:
withdraw our aircraft based there and this can be done rapidly
now that operations in the West are over. A submission is on its way to
the Defence Secretary today for action before the weekend.
4. The Chiefs will be taking a paper later this week on the
roulement/withdrawal of its forces, starting with extraction of 3
Commando Brigade in mid-May. The aim is to reduce to a divisional
headquarters and a brigade by about August/September.
DESMOND BOWEN
15 April 2003
DECIASSIFIED