House of Commons - Foreign Affairs

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs Minutes of Evidence

IRAQ

Letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from the Chairman of the Committee

The Committee yesterday considered the Government's Response to its Seventh Report of the current Session, Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism. We have a number of questions about the safety of UK personnel in Iraq, which arise from your response to recommendation 25 and from recent events in Iraq.

1. What is the total number of UK public sector personnel in Iraq for which the FCO has security responsibility? Can you also provide a breakdown of this total by Government Department, etc? What measures are being taken to safeguard the security of these people?

2. What is the total number of locally engaged personnel in Iraq for which the FCO has security responsibility? What measures are being taken to safeguard the security of these people?

3. What advice has the FCO given to British citizens in Iraq about whether to leave the country?

4. What is the current FCO travel advice for British citizens thinking of travelling to Iraq?

5. What evidence does the FCO have of British citizens employed by private companies now leaving Iraq?

6. What impact does the FCO believe the current security situation in Iraq is having on:

(a) the ability to hold elections in January throughout the country?

(b) economic reconstruction?

7. What assistance with personal security was offered to the late Ken Bigley or his housemates by the British authorities in Iraq? What response did Mr Bigley or his housemates make to such offers?

I would be most grateful to receive a response to these questions on or before Monday 1 November.

Rt Hon Donald Anderson MP

Chairman of the Committee

13 October 2004

Letter to the Chairman of the Committee from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, 2 November 2004

Thank you for your letter of 13 October which contained a number of questions, from the Foreign Affairs Committee, about the safety of UK personnel in Iraq. The answers to your questions are as follows:

Q1. What is the total number of UK public sector personnel in Iraq for which the FCO has security responsibility? Can you also provide a breakdown of this total by Government department, etc? What measures are being taken to safeguard the security of these people?

The number of UK and other non-Iraqi staff working for the British government in Iraq fluctuates significantly over time and is kept under constant review in the light of the security situation and operational requirements. Annex A contains details of the number of staff in Baghdad, Basra and Kirkuk on 24 October, broken down by parent Department or organisation.

The FCO and DFID take their duty of care responsibilities extremely seriously. There are extensive physical and other security measures in place to safeguard staff in Iraq. The full range of measures is set out at Annex B.[1]

Q2. What is the total number of locally engaged personnel in Iraq for which the FCO has security responsibility? What measures are being taken to safeguard the security of these people?

There are 36 locally engaged personnel employed by the British Embassy in Baghdad. There are two local staff employed by the British Office in Kirkuk. Twenty-two locally engaged staff are employed by the British Office in Basra.

We know that these people are taking significant risks in working with the UK to improve the situation in Iraq. The Embassy and the Consulates-General provide general guidance on security tailored to their circumstances and our security staff are available to provide more tailored advice to individuals or groups if that is needed. This offer has been taken up by several individuals.

We also have regular Embassy meetings at which LE and other staff are encouraged to raise security or other issues of concern. During periods of heightened threat we undertake more intensive programmes of briefings and updates on the situation for all staff, including locally engaged staff. Further information is attached in Annex C. Details of specific measures taken to protect staff in all three Posts are contained in Annex B.[2]

Q3. What advice has the FCO given to British citizens in Iraq about whether to leave the country?

The latest Travel Advice (as at 28 October) is enclosed at Annex D. Updates are posted on the FCO website.

The British Embassy in Baghdad maintains an electronic register of UK nationals in Iraq. The Embassy recently sent out information about the security measures it has in place to supplement the Travel Advice. It asked recipients to pass it on to any other British nationals they might know about and asked them to register their presence with the Embassy if they had not already done so. A copy of what was sent is enclosed at Annex E. The Embassy is concerned at the relatively small number of British nationals who have registered and is encouraged by the positive response so far to this initiative. However, most British nationals in Iraq are employed by Private Security Companies. There is no legal obligation to register with the Consular Office and some do not.

The British Office in Basra has built up information on British nationals and British companies employing British nationals operating in southern Iraq. There are few British nationals living outside guarded compounds in southern Iraq. We have encouraged those we are aware of to register with us and to pass on the message to any British Nationals that they are in contact with.

Q4. What is the current FCO travel advice for British citizens thinking of travelling to Iraq?

See response to Question 3 above and Annex D.

Q5. What evidence does the FCO have of British citizens employed by private companies now leaving Iraq?

There is little evidence of British nationals employed by private companies now leaving Iraq, although we understand that companies continue to keep their presence and staffing levels under review. The Embassy's Commercial Section keeps in close touch with UK contractors in Baghdad and has encouraged British nationals to register their presence in Iraq with the Embassy and to take note of travel and other guidance issued by the FCO and the Embassy.

Q6. What impact does the FCO believe the current security situation in Iraq is having on:

(a) the ability to hold elections in January throughout the country.

(b) economic reconstruction.

Clearly, instability in certain areas of Iraq has made progress towards holding elections in January and economic reconstruction more difficult. Nevertheless the Iraqi Interim Government, supported by the Multi-National Forces and the UN, is implementing a strategy to restore stability to enough areas to enable both credible national elections in January and major reconstruction projects to take place. This has already achieved results in Najaf, Sadr City in Baghdad and Samarra. Remaining areas of instability are also being tackled, involving political negotiations, preparations for military action as a last resort if negotiations fail and follow-up economic reconstruction, once stability has been restored. Reconstruction is progressing in the many stable areas of Iraq. Provision of electricity and other essential services is improving and oil production is on target. The roll-out of major projects funded by the US and implemented by the PCO is expected to accelerate significantly in the next three months. DFID programmes are also having a palpable impact, particularly in the South East.

Q7. What assistance with personal security was offered to the late Ken Bigley or his housemates by the British authorities in Iraq? What response did Mr Bigley or his housemates make to such offers?

The Embassy in Baghdad has sought to keep all UK nationals informed, when possible, of updates to the travel advice, and has passed on additional advice on personal security as outlined in our response to Question 3. Ken Bigley was not registered with the Embassy, nor sought advice from them. As outlined in our response to Question 3, the Embassy has tried, and continues to try to make contact with all UK nationals in Baghdad in order to give them up to date advice.

The information contained in Annexes B and C is sensitive and we should be grateful if the Committee would treat it in strictest confidence and not make it public.

Rt Hon Jack Straw MP

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

2 November 2004

Annex A

STAFFING*

Baghdad

Parent Department

or organisation Number in

Baghdad

Comment

FCO 30 Includes seconded staff from other government departments.

DFID 8 DFID core staff, includes two members of staff on secondment from other government departments and three on consultancy terms.

MOD 19 Eleven working from the Embassy. Five working on capacity building in the Iraq MOD and three visiting.

Police Advisers 15 Capacity building and advice.

Consultants 15 Fourteen working on capacity building programmes and one visiting. One consultant is seconded from the Department of Health.

No 10 1 Working with the Iraqi Government Communications Directorate.

UKTI 1 Working in the Embassy.

British Council 1 Managing a DFID project.

Crown Agents 2 Providing contracted services.

Frontier Medical 2 Contracted to provide medical services.

LE staff 36

Total stff 116

These figures do not include the static guard force employed to protect Embassy (or Consulate) premises or the private security personnel responsible for personal security.

The number of consultants in Baghdad is temporarily lower than usual at the moment and not representative of the overall commitment of UK resources in this area. The Police Advisers include one Canadian national for whom we have responsibility.

Basra

Parent Department

or organisation Number in

Basra

Comment

FCO 14 Includes seconded staff from other government departments.

FCO Contractors 2

DFID 1

DFID Contractors 9

Police Advisers 15 Mostly at Az Zubayr Regional Police Academy.

ArmorGroup Police Mentors 36 Most working from MNF bases.

Crown Agents 2

Frontier Medical 2

LE Staff 22

LE DFID Contractor 1

LE ArmorGroup Police 10 Most working from MNF bases.

Total Staff 144

Kirkuk

There is usually one UK based (FCO) member of staff in Kirkuk, the Consul General. From time to time, UK staff from elsewhere in Iraq make extended working visits to Kirkuk. There are two LE staff members employed in Kirkuk.

Total Staff 3 (Plus one visiting)

* Figures for UK staff relate to those in Iraq on 24 October and do not include those on leave.

2 November 2004

Annex D

TRAVEL ADVICE

Iraq Travel Advice at 28 October 2004

Updated: 27 October 2004

SUMMARY

— We advise against all but essential travel to Iraq. The security situation is dangerous. There continue to be widespread outbreaks of violence and threats to kidnap British and other foreign nationals. It is likely that there will be an increase in the number of attacks during Ramadan (15 October to 14 November), and there is a specific threat to the Baghdad Hotel. Even essential travel to Iraq should be delayed, if possible.

— The threat to British nationals remains high. Since the beginning of March 2004, 12 British nationals have been killed and several others seriously injured in terrorist incidents. Terrorists and insurgents continue to target British, international and other interests in Iraq. Targets include hotels where British and other nationals may stay, as well as civilian vehicles and aircraft.

— There were two bomb attacks at the Green Zone Café and Vendor Alley in the International Zone in Baghdad on 14 October 2004, killing at least five people and injuring many more. There is a possibility of further bomb attacks within the International Zone. The British Embassy continues to advise its staff and British nationals to avoid visiting restaurants and public areas within the International Zone for the foreseeable future.

— There have been numerous kidnappings of foreign nationals across Iraq. There is a direct threat of kidnap to foreign nationals in northern Iraq and we believe that British nationals may be targeted. There is also a threat of kidnap against foreign nationals in Baghdad, including journalists. Margaret Hassan, Iraq Country Director of CARE International, was kidnapped in Iraq on 19 October. Three westerners (including one British national) were kidnapped on 16 September from the Mansur district of Baghdad and were brutally murdered by their captors. We urge all British nationals in Iraq to consider whether their presence in Iraq is essential at this time.

— Any British nationals in Iraq should, as a matter of urgency, review their security arrangements and protection and seek professional advice on whether they are adequate. These arrangements should cover: security at the workplace, at the place of residence and travel. Pre-deployment training is advisable. Where security is not adequate, British nationals should either immediately move to premises within guarded areas and avoid unprotected travel outside these more secure areas, or leave Iraq as soon as possible.

— The British Embassy in Baghdad will only be in position to offer limited consular assistance for the foreseeable future. There are also very limited consular facilities in Basra.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

TERRORISM/SECURITY

Terrorists and insurgents are targeting British and other international interests, as well as Iraqi interests associated with the new Iraqi Interim Government. 12 British nationals have been killed, and several others seriously injured in terrorist incidents since March 2004; some of whom have been killed whilst travelling on roads in Iraq (see the Local Travel section below). The threat to British nationals in Iraq from terrorism remains high. If you are in Iraq you should review your security arrangements carefully.

A wide range of conventional weapons has been used so far. Recent attacks have involved the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) including suicide vests and other portable devices, and Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs) such as car bombs. Rocket and mortar attacks and armed assaults have occurred. Terrorist attacks in the region could also involve the use of chemical and biological materials. The threat to British nationals in Iraq from terrorism remains high.

There were two bomb attacks at the Green Zone Café and Vendor Alley in the International Zone in Baghdad on 14 October 2004, killing at least five people and injuring many more. Following these attacks, and the discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device at the Green Zone Café on 5 October, the British Embassy advised its staff and British nationals to avoid visiting restaurants and public areas within the International Zone for the foreseeable future. There is the possibility of further bomb attacks within the International Zone.

There is a continuing risk of kidnapping. There is a direct threat of kidnap to foreign nationals in northern Iraq and we believe that British nationals may be targeted. There is also a threat of kidnap against foreign nationals in Baghdad, including journalists. There have been numerous kidnappings across several areas of Iraq, including Baghdad, Basra, Fallujah, Al Ramadi and the Baghdad-Amman highway, as well as the towns of Najaf, Kufa and Nasiriya. These are increasingly targeting non-Iraqi civilians, and reports indicate that civilians of many nationalities have been, or are being held by kidnappers in Iraq. Some of those kidnapped have been killed by their captors. Margaret Hassan, Iraq Country Director of CARE International, was kidnapped in Iraq on 19 October. Three foreign contractors, including one British national, were kidnapped in Baghdad on 16 September and were brutally murdered by their captors.

The security threat is directed against both military and civilian targets including commercial, aviation, maritime and infrastructure targets. This includes "soft" targets, such as NGOs, British/Western flagged organisations or contractors working on reconstruction projects. There have been attacks on international/Western-flagged organisations and individuals. The International Zone in Baghdad has been hit on numerous occasions by rockets and mortars, and there have been several deadly bomb attacks on its perimeter. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN, NGOs, journalists and foreign contractors have been attacked. Places where Westerners congregate can be targets. This includes hotels in Baghdad, Basrah, and other Iraqi towns. There is a specific threat to the Baghdad Hotel. There have been a number of serious fatal attacks (car bombs and rocket attacks) on hotels and restaurants in Baghdad. Foreign nationals were killed and injured in these attacks. Terrorists and insurgents continue to attack a variety of domestic targets including mosques, churches, army recruiting centres, police stations and government buildings. Religious festivals have been targeted in terrorist attacks, there was a rise in the number of attacks during Ramadan in 2003, we expect a similar rise in the number of attacks this year.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Travel by road is dangerous. In addition to the threat from terrorism/kidnapping, there is a continuing criminal threat from car-jacking and robbery. There have been random and premeditated attacks against civilian as well as military convoys killing numerous foreign and Iraqi nationals. These have often occurred on the main supply routes into Iraq, particularly the Baghdad-Amman highway.

There have been numerous attacks against British vehicles and convoys throughout Iraq, particularly in the areas around Baghdad and Mosul. British civilians have been killed whilst travelling on roads in Iraq since March.

Some roads and areas have been closed and more closures should be expected. The area between Baghdad, Fallujah and Al Ramadi is particularly dangerous, and there has also been widespread violence in a number of other towns and cities, including Mosul, Al Kut, Nasiriya and Kirkuk. There also remains the potential for violence in Najaf and Karbala.

There have been several attacks on military and civilian aircraft in Iraq. Missile attacks on aircraft in the Baghdad area and other parts of the country continue. Baghdad International Airport has been repeatedly targeted by rocket and mortar attacks.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A visa system is in the process of being implemented for Iraq. British nationals travelling to Iraq will need to apply for a visa at Iraqi missions overseas or on arrival at ports of entry to Iraq. Please see the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.iraqmofa.net for updates.

GENERAL

You should only consider visiting Iraq if you have strong commercial or professional reasons to do so. Any companies with planned involvement in reconstruction projects in Iraq should contact the Iraq Unit at UK Trade and Investment. Companies and individuals should also ensure that appropriate security arrangements have been made. Pre-deployment training for employees is advisable. Organisations with private security teams should notify the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior and apply to them for weapons licences for their armed personnel.

The British Embassy was reopened in Baghdad on 28 June 2004. Any British nationals travelling to Iraq for essential reasons should register their presence with the British Embassy through the Iraq Policy Unit at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK before they travel, or directly with the British Consular Officer in Baghdad. All British nationals travelling to or living in the south of Iraq should register their presence with the Office of the British Embassy in Basra via their e-mail address: britishconsulbasra@fco.gov.uk. The British Embassy in Baghdad will only be in position to offer limited consular assistance for the foreseeable future. There are very limited consular facilities in Basra.

OTHER

Iraq Country Profile

For general enquiries please contact Iraq Policy Unit, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, SWlA 2AH, telephone 020 7008 1500 or email iraqtraveladvice@fco.gov.uk

Contact Details

Address: British Embassy, International Zone, Baghdad

Consular Section: Convention Centre (Iraqi Forum) opposite Rasheed Hotel, Baghdad

Telephone: (964) (0) 790 192 6280 Embassy

(1) 703 270 0254 Consular

(1) 914 360 9060 MCI mobile (for emergencies involving British nationals only)

(964) (0) 790 191 0240 Iraqna mobile (for emergencies involving British nationals only)

Email: britishconsulbaghdad@gtnet.gov.uk

Office Hours: GMT: Saturday-Wednesday: 0500-1300, Thursday: 0500-0930

Local Time: Saturday-Wednesday: 0800-1600, Thursday: 0800-1230

Consular: GMT: Saturday-Thursday: 0600-1000

Local Time: Saturday-Thursday: 0900-1300