Sir, As the British Oil Adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad soon after the cessation of hostilities in 2003, I am surprised how quickly some of the key strategic issues for the Iraq war have been subsumed within the rush to implement an early exit strategy for the coalition.

The critical postwar aim was to create social stability across Iraq as quickly as possible, based on accelerated economic renewal. To quote Sir Jeremy Greenstock: “It’s jobs and security, stupid.” This would primarily depend on the early rehabilitation of the Iraqi oil sector. The unequivocal directive from both Washington and London to the CPA was “Iraq oil for the Iraqis”, therefore the Iraq war was not an American “oil grab”, a popular myth that has been promoted in much of the media. The security of Iraq oil was and remains a crucial element in the stability of global oil supplies.

The Opec countries of the Gulf supply some 30 per cent or more of global oil demand. The security of this supply falls within a geopolitically fragile region. To abandon Iraq as a potentially failed state should be unthinkable. Although the Gulf states are flourishing from their $60 a barrel windfall, their internal political stability is no less fragile than when the Iraq war began.

We can all recall the chaos we faced from a national three-day strike by road oil tanker drivers. What would be the global consequences if Arabian oil supplies were cut? It is in the national interests of the coalition members to remain in Iraq until such time as social stability has been secured. An early exit strategy from Iraq is not a viable option.

DR T. D. ADAMS
Cley, Norfolk

Sir, As an Iraqi living in London, I am optimistic about the future of Iraq. Currently Iraq has a Constitution which all Iraqis can be proud of, with all kinds of human rights preserved within it, including women’s rights. The dream of bringing democracy to Iraq is currently in the making, with Thursday’s elections.

We, the Iraqi people, need to tackle these “insurgencies”. If the insurgents aspire to safeguard the position of the Sunni minority, they are going about it the wrong way. Under Saddam Hussein the Sunni minority was dominant enough to oppress and repress the Shia majority. We should emphasise an Iraqi identity while celebrating the differences among communities.

The key issues are security, cultural and religious tolerance and the Iraqi identity. There is plenty to unite Iraqis and plenty to divide them. But in this new era, with its volatility, terror, sadness and hope, there is at least a new voice to be heard — that of the Iraqi people.

AMAR ABBAS
Harrow, Middx

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