§ 3.47 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, it might be convenient if I now make the statement on Iraq which has just been made in another place by my right honourable friend the Lord Privy Seal.
Her Majesty's Ambassador in Iraq has had an interview with the new Foreign Minister (Talib Hussein Al-Shabib) in which the latter asked for recognition by Her Majesty's Government. The new Government officially stated on February 8 that it will comply with Iraq's international commitments and treaties. Her Majesty's Government have noted these assurances with satisfaction.
All the evidence we have indicates that the new régime in Iraq has the support of the armed forces and the bulk of the 803 population and is in effective control of the country.
In these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government consider that it would be proper to accord recognition to the new Iraqi Government. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Baghdad has accordingly been instructed to inform the Iraqi Foreign Minister to-day of Her Majesty's Government's recognition. Her Majesty's Government look forward to the development of friendly relations between the United Kingdom and Iraq.
Your Lordships will regret to learn that two British subjects, Mr. R. Braithwaite, of the Embassy staff, and Mr. K. Deves, the Reuter correspondent, were slightly wounded by stray bullets during the fighting in Baghdad. I am glad to say however, that both of them have now left hospital. Her Majesty's Ambassador has been making extensive inquiries but, apart from these two gentlemen, there are no other reports of harm to British subjects or damage to British property. The Iraq Petroleum Company heard on February 10 that their staff at Kirkuk and Basra were all safe and well.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, we are grateful to the noble Earl for repeating here the statement which has been made in another place, and for announcing the recognition of the new Iraqi Government by Her Majesty's Government. I think I am right in saying that the basis upon which the recognition has been given is the normal basis for recognising a new Government in a situation of this sort. We are glad to hear the reassuring news about the two accidental British casualties, and also that no other of the British personnel engaged in any way in Iraq has suffered harm. We hope that if in course of time there should be news of further casualties, or any further developments affecting this country, the Minister will be good enough to give the House the latest information.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I am gratefully obliged to the noble Lord. We will, of course, keep your Lordships informed of any developments.