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UK Iraq inquiry hears US evidence on war

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, May 18, IRNA – Members of Britain’s Iraq Inquiry committee have arrived in the United States to speak to officials and military officers from the current and former administrations, it was announced Tuesday.

The committee is in the US for five days visiting Washington DC and Boston and will have private discussions with a number of people who have insights into the UK’s involvement in the Iraq war, the inquiry said.

But as the talks are being held on a private basis, the committee said the identities of the people being met and the location of meetings will not be revealed in advance.

Subject to the agreement of participants, the Inquiry may provide more details about the trip after it has been completed but no transcripts are being made available as the meeting are not formal evidence sessions.

The visit to the US comes after the Iraq inquiry travelled to Paris on May 4 to hear evidence of French opposition to the war and included talks with former foreign affairs minister Dominique de Villepin as well as diplomats and military leaders.

Since finishing the first round of public hearings in London in March, the committee has been analysing the witness testimonies obtained during hearings, as well as continuing to examine many thousands of highly classified government documents.

Chair of the inquiry Sir John Chilcot has said that the committee will start a second round of hearings during summer once witnesses they may wish to further question has been identified and issues clarified.

Chilcott also hinted that a number of future sessions, which are expected to include former prime minister Tony Blair amongst others again being recalled, would be held in private “to get to the heart of some very sensitive issues.”

The inquiry, which started last autumn, is hoping to produce its final report by the end of 2010. Issues being examined include the legality of the war and lack of preparations.