§ 3.38 p.m.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, might I suggest that, before the House gets into Committee, I make a statement on Kuwait? With the permission of the House I will repeat a statement on Kuwait made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister.
The House will remember that on Wednesday, June 28, I made it clear that in the situation created by the claim of Iraq to sovereignty over Kuwait Her Majesty's Government assured the Ruler of their support. At the same time they took certain precautionary military measures in order to enable swift action to be taken should the situation deteriorate.
As the House knows, the claim by the Iraqi Government to the territory and sovereignty of Kuwait followed swiftly on the Exchange of Notes of June 19. This claim was accompanied by a violent Press and radio campaign from Baghdad.
The Iraqi forces at Basra, only about thirty miles from the Kuwait border, were clearly quite sufficient to occupy Kuwait by a rapid movement against the modest Kuwait. Army. On June 29 and 30, evidence accumulated from a number of sources that reinforcements, especially reinforcements of armour, were moving towards Basra. In these circumstances the Ruler felt it his duty to make a formal urgent request for British assistance under the Treaty. This he did on the morning of June 30.
Her Majesty's Government, who are under a clear obligation to meet such a request under the Exchange of Notes signed on June 19, responded at once. British forces were landed in Kuwait on the morning of July 1. At the same time the Ruler of Kuwait sent to the President of the Security Council a complaint in respect of the situation caused by the threat by Iraq to the territorial independence of Kuwait, which was likely to endanger peace and security, and asked for an immediate meeting of the Security Council to consider it. The United Kingdom representative in New York also reported our action to the Security Council in accordance with the provisions of 1198 the Charter and supported the Ruler's request for an urgent meeting.
The Security Council met yesterday morning. They took note of the situation and adjourned until Wednesday.
Her Majesty's Government earnestly hope that counsels of moderation will prevail in Baghdad. Our forces are in Kuwait purely for defensive purposes and in accordance with our Treaty obligations. They will be withdrawn as soon as the Ruler considers that the independence of Kuwait is no longer threatened. They present no threat to Iraq with whom we wish to maintain the friendliest possible relations.
I am convinced that it was the duty of Her Majesty's Government to act as they did. I believe that they will receive the general support of the House and the country.
I will keep the House informed of further developments.
§ 3.41 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl the Foreign Secretary for the statement on the position in Kuwait. We know that the meeting of the Security Council has been adjourned until Wednesday. In the meantime, I think I can say for all my colleagues that we think that the Government were perfectly entitled to respond to the appeal of the Ruler of Kuwait under the terms of the Exchange of Notes which has already taken place. The statement which was made by Sir Patrick Dean yesterday, so far as I could learn from what I heard on the wireless, seemed to me to be satisfactory. It was made specific that no offensive action was intended by the British Government against Iraq and that as soon as the Ruler felt that there was no longer any danger the British forces would be withdrawn. If there are likely to be continued difficulties, I feel satisfied that a question will be put in the House of Commons about whether it would be the intention of the Government to keep troops there until we could replace them by, say, United Nations forces.
LORD REAMy Lords, I think that the noble Earl the Foreign Secretary need have no fear that he will not get the full backing of all Parties in your Lordships' House for the action which has been taken. I think that it might be 1199 recorded that it seems somewhat cynical, so soon after his statement of June 19, when we declared our willingness to support Kuwaitan independence, that she should so quickly—within a week or two—find herself considered to be part of Iraq. I trust that in putting our case to the Security Council, as much stress will be put on the defensive use of our Forces as there has been from other quarters to their alleged offensive aspect.
The EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Viscount the Leader of the Opposition and to the noble Lord, Lord Rea. Our concern is to see that the independence of Kuwait is secured. That is the only concern that we have. It may take some time to work that out and I cannot tell the noble Viscount what the results of the discussion will be in the Security Council. But ensuring the independence of Kuwait is our purpose, and that is why we want to look ahead, and it is to that purpose that we have to direct our minds actively in future.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHAs a matter of interest to the House, I seem to remember a Press statement of June 20. The Iraqi diplomatic representative in Moscow was interviewed on his leaving Moscow and the following night, according to a report I have seen, there was a broadcast in Arabic from Moscow which seemed to me entirely hostile. It was apparently thereafter that the action by Iraq was taken. I feel confident that these facts must be known to the Foreign Secretary. Perhaps it is not out of place that all your Lordships should know them.