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To: All Staff G4S Secure Solutions Iraq – Please disseminate
All,
The G4S Business in Basra has recently suffered the confiscation of 95 vehicles from Iraq Energy City. These
vehicles are now being held by the authorities in a secure compound. Although it is lawful for an investigative Judge
to hold assets which are subject to an investigation, we believe the grounds for this investigation are false. Most
unusually the remainder of the Iraqi Authorities agree with us. The PSCD Department of the Ministry of Interior and
the Customs Department have both visiting the judge to lobby on our behalf.
The readouts we have had from our lawyers, Eversheds, make it very clear that the Judge is acting outside of the
law. It seems to me this is simply an attempt to put International PSCs out of business, to make way for other local
companies. The situation is not confined to G4S. Our friends at CRG, GW and also Erinys have also been targeted.
We are addressing this issue collectively and hope to achieve resolution soon.
A committee has been appointed to review our compliance with extant legislation. I have every expectation that this
committee will find we have operated completely in accordance with the law. Unfortunately this committee will take
time to review evidence and to produce a report. My priority for the time being is to obtain the release of the
impounded vehicles to enable us to continue working while the investigation takes place.
We have made much progress in terms of engagement to overcome this problem, and have enlisted the support of
the British Embassy, Ministers in the UK, the Iraq British Business Council, and others. We have engaged with the
Acting Minister of Interior and the Chief Justice, and will engage with the Minister of Oil and the Minister of Finance, I
am attending an event in London next week and intend to ask some pointed questions of the President of Iraq at a
dinner we are attending together on Wednesday.
More practically and immediately the Judge in Basra is meeting on Sunday with representatives from the PSCD
Department, Basra Customs, the Traffic Police and others, to discuss the G4S Case. It is my hope that the Judge will
realise he is very much in the spotlight, and that he is being looked at We are keeping our clients informed of the
issue and of the steps we are taking to achieve resolution. If needs be, we will be asking our clients to lobby on our
behalf.
The truth is that with an unpredictable security situation in Southern Iraq, there could not be a worse time for the
authorities to unlawfully strip us of the assets we need to protect clients who are here to help GoI develop the oilfields
of Southern Iraq. I am hopeful that the judge will have been able to reflect this weekend on the unintended
consequences of his actions, and that come Sunday we will see some more sensible decisions.
But, well, it is Iraq. Who really knows what tomorrow may bring.
My priority, until justice and common sense prevail, is to bring our vehicles back into use at the earliest opportunity.
For this reason I am very happy either meet the Chief Justice or go to Basra and speak directly with the Judge. We
should find out soon if this will be possible.
You can rest assured that G4S have and continue to operate lawfully. The management team here and in London
are doing everything they can to obtain the release of these vehicles, to enable us to continue with the good work we
do, which ultimately is for the benefit of the people of Iraq. Our concerns have been flagged to the highest levels of
Government in Baghdad and in London. Our clients are supportive, and we are working with other members of our
industry to achieve resolution.
We have been subject to a grave injustice which we are seeking to correct with urgency.
If you or your clients have any questions on this matter please do not hesitate to ask.
With best wishes to you all,
Chris