Welcome to the Iraq Inquiry Digest
by Chris Ames
Iraq Inquiry Digest is formally launching today, in advance of the Chilcot Inquiry’s public hearings, on which there should be an announcement later this month, but with plenty to say in the meantime.
We’ve already tried to set out the main evidence that we think the Inquiry will need to see. Some is published and some unpublished. I’m sure we haven’t covered it all so we are very much open to suggestions. Also, if you have any new information, we’d very much like to hear from you.
We’ve also tried to define what we think are the overall questions for the Inquiry. We’ve tried to keep it short but there are sub-questions and sub-questions of the sub-questions, if you dig into it a bit. You may disagree. Please do.
Over the next few weeks, our contributors will be posting comment and blog pieces that should throw new light on some of the major – and most controversial issues. Watch this space.
As we say on the About this site section, the site aims both to inform and to provide a dynamic forum for comment and analysis. It seeks to provide a balance of views and opinion, to be constructive and to provide reasoned and well argued comment. Well, that’s the plan.
Comment from Jess The Dog
Time October 5, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Excellent initiative. I have set up a blog called “Not the Iraq War Inquiry” but it looks as if I can hang up my keyboard!
I noticed the low-key trawl for veterans’ views and sent in my own representation, that veterans’ groups would probably not reach many who served although they would reach those most affected.
I would also like to make a representation in due course on my experience of the UOR process, as a Royal Air Force Officer based in the UK providing support of operations and liaising closely with US forces. We didn’t get our required software upgrade delivered until the war fighting had largely ended. I also heard stories from colleagues in theatre about equipment shortages, in particular NBC kit.
My perception was that there was a closed-off war planning operation that was kept top secret largely because of political considerations, and this may have delayed the vital wider preparations required in advance of operations.
I resigned in 2003 following the end of the Hutton inquiry.
I’ve posted using my blog name at this time to keep things simple.