Iraq planning ‘frustrated’ by secrecy

[deminks]

Source: Financial Times

Military chiefs were blocked from ordering kit and mobilising troops for the Iraq war because ministers feared the “military signals” would “scotch” public support, an inquiry heard on Thursday.

Lord Boyce, then head of the armed forces, said Geoff Hoon, the former defence secretary, prevented any logistical preparations until “a late stage” to maintain secrecy, leaving just three months to prepare for an invasion.

In testimony before the Iraq inquiry, the former chief of defence staff described his “frustration” over the “political vacuum” hindering military planning.

“I was not allowed to speak to the chief of defence logistics,” he said. “I was prevented from doing that by the secretary of state for defence because of the concern of it becoming public knowledge.”

(snip)

Sir Kevin described the defence budget as “too small” but said Gordon Brown never turned down any requests for extra operational funds. But he went on to describe severe difficulties within Whitehall over coordinating planning and resourcing for the aftermath of the invasion, particularly with the Department for International Development.

Sir Kevin recounted a meeting with a DfID official who questioned whether the Iraqis were “poor enough” to deserve development assistance. “If you hang on long enough they will be,” Sir Kevin replied.

(end snip)




Read more: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/71087b7a-e00c-11de-9d40-00144feab49a.html?nclick_check=1

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Really? Were they "poor enough" to deserve assistance? Astounding.