By Cliff Montgomery – July 18th, 2016
Most people have heard of Britain’s recently-released Iraq War inquiry report, and its damning verdict that the WMD-related case which served as the basis for the 2003 invasion was “not justified.”
But we suspect that many have had a tough time finding the actual report online. is here to help.
Britain’s Iraq Inquiry Report apparently has been published in full and made available to the general public. Yet it doesn’t seem to be officially available as a single computer file each section of the massive study must be downloaded by itself. This can make it quite frustrating for those who wish to obtain their own digital copy of the full report, for perusal at some later time.
Regardless, the Spark offers its readers a number of telling quotes from the inquiry:
“In 2003, for the first time since the Second World War, the United Kingdom took part in an invasion and full-scale occupation of a sovereign State. That was a decision of the utmost gravity.“Saddam Hussein was undoubtedly a brutal dictator who had attacked Iraq’s neighbours, repressed and killed many of his own people, and was in violation of obligations imposed by the UN Security Council.“But the questions for the Inquiry were:• whether it was right and necessary to invade Iraq in March 2003 and• whether the UK could – and should – have been better prepared for what followed.“We have concluded that the UK chose to join the invasion of Iraq before the peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted. Military action at that time was not a last resort.“We have also concluded that:• The judgements about the severity of the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction – WMD – were presented with a certainty that was not justified.• Despite explicit warnings, the consequences of the invasion were underestimated. The planning and preparations for Iraq after Saddam Hussein were wholly inadequate.• The Government failed to achieve its stated objectives. […]“The failures in the planning and preparations continued to have an effect after the invasion.“That brings me to the Government’s failure to achieve the objectives it had set itself in Iraq.“The Armed Forces fought a successful military campaign, which took Basra and helped to achieve the departure of Saddam Hussein and the fall of Baghdad in less than a month.“Service personnel, civilians who deployed to Iraq and Iraqis who worked for the UK, showed great courage in the face of considerable risks. They deserve our gratitude and respect.“More than 200 British citizens died as a result of the conflict in Iraq. Many more were injured. This has meant deep anguish for many families, including those who are here today.“The invasion and subsequent instability in Iraq had, by July 2009, also resulted in the deaths of at least one hundred and fifty thousand Iraqis – and probably many more – most of them civilians.“More than a million people were displaced. The people of Iraq have suffered greatly.“The vision for Iraq and its people – issued by the US, the UK, Spain and Portugal, at the Azores Summit on 16 March 2003 – included a solemn obligation to help the Iraqi people build a new Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbours.“It looked forward to a united Iraq in which its people should enjoy security, freedom, prosperity and equality with a government that would uphold human rights and the rule of law as cornerstones of democracy. […]“From 2006, the UK military was conducting two enduring campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. It did not have sufficient resources to do so. Decisions on resources for Iraq were affected by the demands of the operation in Afghanistan.“For example, the deployment to Afghanistan had a material impact on the availability of essential equipment in Iraq, particularly helicopters and equipment for surveillance and intelligence collection.“By 2007 militia dominance in Basra, which UK military commanders were unable to challenge, led to the UK exchanging detainee releases for an end to the targeting of its forces.“It was humiliating that the UK reached a position in which an agreement with a militia group which had been actively targeting UK forces was considered the best option available.“The UK military role in Iraq ended a very long way from success.“We have sought to set out the Government’s actions on Iraq fully and impartially. The evidence is there for all to see. It is an account of an intervention which went badly wrong, with consequences to this day.“The Inquiry Report is the Committee’s unanimous view.“Military action in Iraq might have been necessary at some point. But in March 2003:• There was no imminent threat from Saddam Hussein.• The strategy of containment could have been adapted and continued for some time.• The majority of the Security Council supported continuing UN inspections and monitoring.“Military intervention elsewhere may be required in the future. A vital purpose of the Inquiry is to identify what lessons should be learned from experience in Iraq.“There are many lessons set out in the Report.“Some are about the management of relations with allies, especially the US. Mr Blair overestimated his ability to influence US decisions on Iraq.“The UK’s relationship with the US has proved strong enough over time to bear the weight of honest disagreement. It does not require unconditional support where our interests or judgements differ.“The lessons also include:• The importance of collective Ministerial discussion which encourages frank and informed debate and challenge.• The need to assess risks, weigh options and set an achievable and realistic strategy.• The vital role of Ministerial leadership and co-ordination of action across Government, supported by senior officials.• The need to ensure that both the civilian and military arms of Government are properly equipped for their tasks.“Above all, the lesson is that all aspects of any intervention need to be calculated, debated and challenged with the utmost rigour.“And, when decisions have been made, they need to be implemented fully.“Sadly, neither was the case in relation to the UK Government’s actions in Iraq.”
