UK FCO: Straw on British Diplomats Returning to Iraq

BRITISH DIPLOMATS RETURN TO BAGHDAD

STATEMENT BY JACK STRAW
U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY

UK FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

May 1, 2003

The Foreign Secretary said:

'I am pleased to announce that a team of British diplomats will be travelling to Baghdad this weekend to open a British Office in the capital.

'Christopher Segar, who was Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Baghdad before it closed in 1991, will be leading the team as Head of the British Office. His role will be to work with ORHA and other organisations on the ground in supporting reconstruction work and to maintain contact with emerging political figures within Iraq.

'With his previous experience and knowledge of Iraq, Christopher will play a key role in reviving and restoring Britain’s links with the people of Iraq who have for so long been deprived of contact with the wider world. I hope that they will see this deployment as a further sign of our determination to help Iraq return to its rightful place within the international community, as befits a nation and a people with such a rich history and culture.'

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Immediately prior to taking up this new role, Christopher Segar was Head of Aviation, Maritime and Energy Department in the FCO. He was Counsellor, Consul-General and Deputy Head of Mission in Baghdad in 1990. He will be accompanied initially by a team of three officials. The mission will open as a British Office initially, with a view to upgrading to a full Embassy once a new administration is in place.

The British Embassy in Baghdad closed on 12 January 1991.

We will consider bids for interviews with Christopher Segar, once he has arrived in post.

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Search WMD profiles Iraqi entities of concern Iraq's suppliers UN documents Government documents Controlled items Perspectives	BRITISH DIPLOMATS RETURN TO BAGHDAD STATEMENT BY JACK STRAW U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY UK FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE May 1, 2003 The Foreign Secretary said: 'I am pleased to announce that a team of British diplomats will be travelling to Baghdad this weekend to open a British Office in the capital. 'Christopher Segar, who was Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Baghdad before it closed in 1991, will be leading the team as Head of the British Office. His role will be to work with ORHA and other organisations on the ground in supporting reconstruction work and to maintain contact with emerging political figures within Iraq. 'With his previous experience and knowledge of Iraq, Christopher will play a key role in reviving and restoring Britain’s links with the people of Iraq who have for so long been deprived of contact with the wider world. I hope that they will see this deployment as a further sign of our determination to help Iraq return to its rightful place within the international community, as befits a nation and a people with such a rich history and culture.' NOTES FOR EDITORS Immediately prior to taking up this new role, Christopher Segar was Head of Aviation, Maritime and Energy Department in the FCO. He was Counsellor, Consul-General and Deputy Head of Mission in Baghdad in 1990. He will be accompanied initially by a team of three officials. The mission will open as a British Office initially, with a view to upgrading to a full Embassy once a new administration is in place. The British Embassy in Baghdad closed on 12 January 1991. We will consider bids for interviews with Christopher Segar, once he has arrived in post.