HL Deb 12 December 1991 vol 533 cc870-2

3.18 p.m.

Lord Renton: asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will urge the Security Council of the United Nations to ensure that the Kurdish people of Iraq are enabled peacefully to rebuild and reoccupy their homes in that country without being further molested or prevented by the Iraqi Government or armed forces.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, Security Council Resolution 688, adopted on 5th April, demanded an immediate end to Iraq's repression of its civilian population and called for respect of the human and political rights of all Iraqi citizens. We shall continue to do all that we can to ensure that Iraq complies with it.

Lord Renton

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that interesting reply. Is he aware that that Security Council resolution is not being observed by the Iraqi Government? Does my noble friend recollect that a week ago we were told by my noble friend Lord Cavendish of Furness that the Security Council would be meeting this month to consider the matter? Can the Minister say when that will be? Can the Security Council be told that although the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been sending building materials for the rehousing of 350,000 people in northern Iraq, those materials are not being used because the Iraqi Government are preventing the houses from being built?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, with regard to the last point, the information we have is that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees winterisation programme, which meets the needs of some 500,000 people during the winter months, including shelter, repair and upgrading of hospitals and water supplies, is on schedule and being met.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that the UNHCR has reported over the past few days that 200,000 Kurds have had to flee from their homes because of Iraqi shelling? Furthermore, can he confirm whether the air cover currently provided from Turkey by the United Kingdom and the United States is to continue or is it to finish on the 28th December? Is he aware that to terminate that cover at this time would be quite wrong? Can he give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government are giving very careful thought to that in consultation with the United States Government?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, with regard to the noble Lord's first question yes, we are aware of the additional problem of the 200,000 Kurds. In answer to the second question, I am sure the whole House would like to express its gratitude to the Turkish Government for hosting the coalition forces. Without the coalition forces, the Kurds could not live in the security that they do at present. The agreement comes to an end at the end of this month, and we are working with the Americans as to the future.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, what it all adds up to, and cutting out all the jargon, is that it is a fact that all the time Saddam Hussein is there, nothing will change. The Kurds will still be in trouble, and the people living in Kuwait will be in trouble. How long is this wretched man going to stay in office?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that the Kurds are in considerably less trouble as a result of the action taken by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in the safe haven operation. Without that, there would have been a very much worse situation.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, can the noble Earl give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government are in favour of continuing the air cover after 28th December?

The Earl of Caithness

Of course I can, my Lords.

Lord Beloff

My Lords, can the Minister confirm the press report that Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan resigned his office as the representative of the High Commissioner for refugees in Iraq on account of the political interference with his humanitarian activities? If that report is correct, has the Prince be replaced? Who now is responsible for the United Nations humanitarian activities in Iraq?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am able to confirm that Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan announced his resignation on 3rd December, but I cannot confirm what my noble friend has said about the reasons for that. The question of what happens to the office of the executive delegate is now a matter for the United Nations Secretary-General. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to pay tribute to the work of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. He has done a very good job.

Lord Tordoff

My Lord, I thoroughly endorse what the noble Earl has just said. I should like to return to a reply he gave earlier this afternoon about the people who are not yet housed. He said that the relief programme is on course. But how many people are exposed to the elements in the Kurdish mountains at the moment? When will they be given warmth, shelter and fresh water?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the UNHCR is doing all it can in order to meet the difficult situation. As I said, the programme in hand is on course to cover 500,000 people.

Lord Renton

My Lords, will my noble friend please answer the question I put to him? When the Security Council meets this month—as we have been told it will—in order to consider this matter, will Her Majesty's Government make representations to it conveying the thoughts that have been expressed by your Lordships this afternoon?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, we always take into account what your Lordships say. Points were most forcefully put forward in the meeting of the UN which was in the recent past. The meeting decided that the sanctions should not be lifted.