New UK ambassador to Iraq named

Britain's new ambassador to Iraq, who will take up his post in Baghdad after the official handover of power to the interim Iraqi government, has been named today.

Edward Chaplin CMG, OBE, currently Director for Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign Office, will officially begin his work with effect from 1 July 2004 – when the Iraqi government is scheduled to assume sovereignty. A new British Embassy will also open in Baghdad on the same date.

The British government's representative in Iraq, David Richmond, will serve until 30 June 2004, when as planned, that post along with the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist. He will move on to another senior appointment in the Diplomatic Service, the Foreign Office confirmed.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "The Prime Minister and I are delighted that Edward Chaplin will be our first Ambassador to the new Iraq. Like those who have served as Special Representative, John Sawers, Jeremy Greenstock and David Richmond, Edward Chaplin is one of our most senior and experienced diplomats and one of our most accomplished Arabists, with extensive and distinguished experience of the Middle East. He also spent five years of his childhood in Baghdad in the 1950s, as his father worked there as a businessman for ICI."

A total of around 160 UK-based staff will be resident at British posts in Iraq during the first year or so after 30 June 2004. That figure includes 40 police advisers/trainers and 40 DfID staff. More than half of the remainder will be FCO officers, and there will also be a significant MOD element.

In addition to the new British Embassy in Baghdad, there will be a Consulate-General in Basra and a Representative Office in Northern Iraq. Simon Collis has been appointed Consul-General in Basra and Noel Guckian, Consul General to Northern Iraq.

Mr Chaplin previously served as ambassador to Amman, and has held senior positions Foreign Office positions in Iran, Belgium and Muscat. He entered the foreign service in 1973.

(gmcg)