Close of play on Day 11 and some familiar themes. The Department for International Development’s nigh-daily beating from the soldiers, with relations described as “a sad and sorry tale”; the failure of planners to anticipate Iraq’s post-war slide into what Lt Gen Lamb called “insurgency on steroids”; a sense that London wasn’t grasping the “vibes” that Lt Gen Viggers says he was sending back about the wheels coming off.
Two witnesses used the same phrase to describe how ordinary Iraqis reacted incredulously to what the coalition was doing: “You can put a man on the moon – but you can’t restore my electricity?”
Some other strong imagery. Viggers likening the experience to going to the theatre to enjoy a play and ending up watching a tragedy. Sergio Vieira de Mello’s dying words, beseeching his UN colleagues not to abandon Iraq. Waging counter-insurgency likened to the darkest most infernal place in hell. The first mentions of the horrors of Abu Ghraib and Fallujah.
Stronger stuff to be perfectly honest than I’d expected from today’s session. I predict (fear?) a degree more restraint tomorrow with evidence from former top-diplo and current MI6 Chief Sir John Sawers.