Basrah International Airport, IRAQ; Why British forces need to leave now

Op-Ed

The modern development and operations of the Iraqi airport system is vital to Iraq's revitalization and economic growth. Rapid reestablishment of commercial and private transportation hubs in Iraq is vital to its quick and full recovery.

In 2003, the US military, realizing the Baghdad Airports importance to the overall economic and transportation requirements of the Iraqi people, moved quickly to restore the airport property and facilities to the extent that the Iraqis could utilize the Airport for private and commercial use. In late 2004 the Baghdad Airport was completely turned over to the Iraqi government. All coalition troops were removed from the Airport proper and re-established military flight operations in an area far from, but in the same proximity of an operational airport runway, not connected to the Airports primary runway. Today, Baghdad's international airport is a thriving operation completely managed and controlled by the government and people of Iraq. No American or coalition troops occupy any part of the International Airport or control its operation.

In contrast to Baghdad where the Americans reigned, Basrah was a completely different picture. Basrah is the second largest city in Iraq. It is the only city in Iraq with a water port leading to the sea. It borders the friendly nation of Kuwait and possesses some of the largest oil reserves in Iraq. Basrah is also famous for its architecture, hospitality and for the brutal repression it experienced under the fist of Saddam Hussain. When the British Army entered Basrah in 2003, they were welcomed as heroes by the population of Iraq. As the second largest coalition military contingent in Iraq, surpassed only by the USA, the British Army brought safety and freedom where there had been none for over thirty years. The Iraqis of Basrah trusted the British liberators and believed their day to feel the light of freedom had finally arrived. That feeling did not last long.

It took the British only a month or two to squander all of the good will of the citizens of Basrah. Although there were two former Iraqi Army bases in and around the city of Basrah, the British, for reason of convenience, choose to occupy Basrah International Airport as their Command Headquarters. Perhaps forgetting who they came to rescue, the British burned any and all airport furniture that they did not need for their use. Most of which was the personal property of the over 300 employees of the airport. The art and other valuables found in the Airport were not destroyed, but quickly disappeared after coming into the possession of the British forces.

Basrah International Airport is today only a shell of its former self. Although there have been, over the past four years or so, British plans and promises to carry out the mission of refurbishing and re-equipping the Airport, the commitment to follow through never materialized. The many assurances by the British forces, who occupy the Airport property, to the Iraqi people of Basrah, to date, have born no fruit. No effort or action has been taken to return or restore the airport itself, or its ownership or control back to the Iraqi people. Although some commercial flights are permitted by the British, who often boast of the commercialization of the Basrah airport, the flights are very restricted and the security process which allows Iraqis to enter the airport is draconian and actually discourages the Iraqi population from using the airport. Many residents of Basrah who may need to fly, often drive the 7 hours to Baghdad to catch their flights, or drive across the border into Kuwait where they utilize the Kuwait International Airport which is about two hours, by car, from Basrah.

In the case of Basrah Airport, the operational condition has actually regressed, since the British occupation in 2003, as a result of abuse and damage caused by the British Army occupation of the Main Airport Terminal for use as their Army Division Headquarters. The main terminal had no battle damage. The airport was taken without a shot being fired, save a single missile that had, very early in the campaign, taken out the airport's radar station and another having hit the former operations building. The elaborately adorned, very meticulously cared for Airport Terminal and its surrounding support buildings were stripped clean by the occupying British Army. Anything of value, or perceived value, was taken away and what furniture could not be utilized by the British was burned. In contrast, the US forces in Baghdad, having occupied the Baghdad International Airport, inventoried, photographed and cataloged all of the Airport terminals adornments and furniture and warehoused it. All of the inventoried material was later turned over to the Iraqi officials who formed the new government of Iraq. The airport buildings, and everything that had been in them when the Americans arrived, were officially turned over to the Iraqi Minister of transportation and the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority. Additionally, prior to the turnover of the Airport, the US Government completely restored the Main Terminals of the Baghdad Airport.

The over three years of British use of the Basrah Airport Main Terminal building for offices and housing of British Officers has left the airport a shell of its former self. To date, not one effort has been made to replace the furnishings or repair the damage resulting from the British occupation of the terminal. British still occupy and control the rest of the airport. The inner facade, electronics, carpets, furniture, and art that once adorned the Terminal building, all gone. The once beautiful and operational Airport Terminal is now an almost empty building, walled off from most other parts of the Airport proper by the British, who occupy almost every other building on the Airport property. The Iraqi Management Staff are confined to the third floor offices of the terminal building where there are is no toilet facilities or water. All removed or disabled by the British forces.

The current Basrah Airport employees, some who have over twenty years working at the Airport, wait for three and four hours to be allowed through the gate each day just to go to work in the Airport. Even the Basrah Governor himself has been denied access to the Basrah Airport. On at least one occasion, he was held at the gate until his plane departed and only then did the British guards allow him to proceed, at which point he simply returned to his office in the city.

The British, who still in 2007, occupy about 95% of the Airport property and buildings, have all but cut off the flow of water to the "Iraqi side" of the airport. The Airport water plant was refurbished for the Iraqis by the United States through USAID in 2004.

During my last trip to the Basrah Airport in 2006, the Iraqi airport Management told me that, although the airport water plant is Iraqi property, the British, without any permission or consultation, cut the water off to the Iraqi side of the Airport (The area where Iraqis are allowed to work). The Iraqi area of the airport gets water about twenty minutes per day while the British occupied side of the airport receives potable water twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Iraqi water.

In fact, I have been told, all non-British coalition members, and coalition contractors who occupy premises on the airport are now paying a water and security fee to the British Army HQ every month. In essence, water taken from the Iraqi water plant is being sold by the British. Local vendors, Iraqi and third country nationals, aboard the airport have told me that they are required to pay the British Army HQ 8% of their gross sales every month. The Iraqis responsible for the Airport are receiving none of the profits being made from their own property.

By depending solely on British assistance, promises and assurances, Basrah International Airport now stands as a testament of neglect and indifference by the British forces. Already three years behind in economic development and progress towards self Sustainment, Basrah International Airport stands as an example of the British failure to honor its word to assist the very people it came to rescue. It is, by any measure, an embarrassment caused by the British high-mined unwillingness to recognize any Iraqi professional or national need as more important than our own. I was once told by a British Colonel in Basrah "The British Army will decide when Basrah needs an airport, but as long as we remain in Iraq, this airport belongs to the British". In essence, the British Army has decided, for the Iraqis, that Iraq's second largest city does not need an airport.

Herein is a condensed plan for the rebuilding of the Iraqi Airport System. Specifically Basrah International Airport. Basrah has always been the best choice for "Proof of Concept". With the cooperation and assistance of Coalition in Baghdad, The Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Interior (Customs & Entry), and the current airport staff, I believe the Basrah International Airport could rapidly become the jewel in the crown of the Middle East air transport system.

This is a 2 year, 4 phase plan which, under the direction and guidance of The Ministry of Transportation with the assistance of The United States, could have the effect of undoing the three years of neglect and abuse, under the control of the Coalition, Basrah Airport has experienced. Through additional involvement and active participation of The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a U.N. affiliate, Basrah International Airport has the potential of being ICAO certified within one year from the time the firm commitment is taken.

The first element of concentration required for Basrah International Airport is the transfer of British Army Division Headquarters from Basrah International Airport to Sheiba Base or Talil base. The security aspect of the RAF mission should quickly be phased out through the use of Iraqi Police and Army forces trained in Airport Security.

The other institutional requirements are:

Refurbishment and re-equipping

Mentoring Airport Management

Operations

Facilities

Mentoring Administration

Security

Aircraft Services

Mentoring Passenger Services

Weather

Upgrading Air Traffic Control

Aircraft Fuel

Cargo

Fire

Property Management

Phase 1 AIRPORT MANAGEMENT

Establish a skilled and experienced mentoring management staff, made up of Iraqi, Jordanian and Kuwaiti airport professionals, capable of mentoring and training the current and future airport staff in the skills and methods of modern airport management. They would Assist and mentor the existing Iraqi staff personnel in airport management, airport planning, budgeting and all aspects of operating a modern airport.

Phase 2 AIRPORT OPERATIONS

Provide services to mentor the existing Iraqi staff in the oversight of day to day management of all aspects of a modern airport. Refurbish and re-equip Airport Operations material requirements, i.e., communications, ground support equipment, furnishings, water, electricity.

Phase 3 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Establish a plan to develop the airport to its fullest commercial potential. This plan will set and collect fees for the use of airport property, and all of the faculties, building, and services. Under this plan all current and future users of airport property both military and commercial would be expected to pay the regional rate for the use of land and buildings, repair and restoration of buildings and land previously used or occupied.

Phase 4 RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Assist the Ministry of Transportation in the restoration of the airport to it's former condition and further develop it to its fullest potential. New clients such as Hotels, Restaurants, Shops, Residential Housing, Factories, Warehouses, Service Companies, and others will further enhance the airports image and status as a modern 21st century airport worthy of the new Iraq. (Iraqi and international private enterprise and investment should be invited to develop this aspect of the Airport).

All landing, over flight, concession, land and building use fees, and any other fees, rental, lease and other charges will be turned over to the Airport Management / Provincial Governance be used for payment of employee's salaries, airport repairs, maintenance, ground transportation environmental cleanup and modernization.

British mismanagement, failure in diplomacy, perceived arrogance, looting and indifference to Iraqi leadership and the citizens of Basrah has created an untenable and dangerous relationship between the two. Having squandered all of their goodwill assets, the British have managed to create significantly more enemies than allies in Basrah.

Removing the British forces from the only airport in the second largest city in Iraq will be a good start to doing the right thing. The people and province of Basrah Iraq need to have their airport back. Better sooner than later. After all, Basrah's airport belongs to Basrah's people. It is as though we have learned nothing over the past four years.

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