HC Deb 03 December 1997 vol 302 cc354-6
Q8. Mr. Dalyell

If he will hold discussions with Arab Governments, and those of the other permanent members of the Security Council, with a view to persuading the United Nations to lift sanctions on Iraq in advance of a general settlement.

The Prime Minister

No is the answer to that question. Lifting sanctions cannot begin until Iraq has fully complied with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Mr. Dalyell

How can any of us justify an Anglo-American policy, because that is what it is, that results, intentionally or not, in 960,000 Iraqi malnourished children—a UNICEF figure—7,000 of whom died in October 1997? Will my right hon. Friend reflect on a view that is rather different from his own: sanctions, far from weakening the regime of Saddam Hussein, strengthen an enclosed dictatorship of that nature?

The Prime Minister

I can assure my hon. Friend that I reflect very much on those matters. No one can look at what is happening in Iraq without feeling the huge weight of tragedy for those young children and for the people of Iraq who suffer. But they suffer because of Saddam Hussein; they do not suffer because of the United Nations, our American allies or ourselves.

It is so important that people understand that the Security Council resolution is in place and UN inspectors have been sent in because we cannot allow even an outside risk or possibility of Saddam Hussein developing chemical or biological weapons of warfare. Over the past few years, those inspectors have found—and have therefore been able to eliminate and destroy—large parts of what could have gone to build such weapons. The possibility is therefore not theoretical but actual. We have to maintain that pressure—we have to do it—until those UN resolutions are complied with. If they are complied with, immediate help can be given to the Iraqi people.

It is up to Saddam Hussein to make the changes. I agree that it is a terrible tragedy, and it is a great responsibility for anyone to perpetuate sanctions in such circumstances. I honestly believe, however, that the alternative would be far worse.