HL Deb 28 February 1991 vol 526 cc1105-14

3.34 p.m.

Lord Waddington

My Lords, I beg to repeat a Statement made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in another place.

"In the early hours of this morning, after consulting with us and with other coalition partners, President Bush announced our decision to suspend offensive military operations in the Gulf with effect from 0500 GMT today.

"We took that decision as soon as it became clear that Kuwait had been liberated, and that Iraq's army had been comprehensively defeated. We took the view immediately that there could be no question of continuing to attack an army which had been defeated, notwithstanding the lack of a surrender by their commanders.

"By that time, 42 Iraqi divisions had been effectively destroyed. At the latest count coalition forces have captured, destroyed or disabled over 3,700 Iraqi tanks (out of 4,200 in the theatre); over 2,100 artillery pieces (out of 3,100), and over 1,800 armoured vehicles (out of 2,800). There are 60,000 Iraqi prisoners documented so far, with many thousands more yet to be recorded.

"Remaining Iraqi personnel should withdraw from the theatre of operations, but should leave behind their equipment and weapons. Should Iraq resume attacks on coalition forces or Scud attacks on any country, we shall be free to resume military operations. Meanwhile, we shall take whatever steps are necessary to defend the security and safety of our own forces.

"We also require the Iraqi government to nominate military commanders to meet our own commanders within 48 hours to discuss the military aspects of a cease-fire, including the immediate release of prisoners of war. There will be separate discussions on the political aspects. The United Nations Security Council will be asked to meet soon to discuss the necessary political arrangements for the war to end.

"We have spelled out the conditions which Iraq must meet for there to be a formal and permanent cease-fire. Iraq must immediately release British and other prisoners of war, as well as all Kuwaiti detainees, and return the remains of those who have lost their lives. We are already in touch with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, to urge them to redouble their efforts to secure access to the prisoners. We shall insist on the fullest co-operation from the Iraqi military authorities to locate land and sea mines, explosives and other booby traps in and around Kuwait. We shall also insist on a public and authoritative statement from the highest levels of Iraq's leadership of their intention to comply fully with all the relevant Security Council resolutions. This must include renunciation of Iraq's claim to Kuwait, and acceptance of Iraq's responsibility to pay reparations for the damage which its aggression has caused.

"The economic and commercial sanctions being applied against Iraq will remain in force until Iraq has accepted all the Security Council's resolutions, and the Security Council itself has decided that sanctions should be lifted. Through the United Nations, we shall also seek a commitment from Iraq to destroy under international supervision all its ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, and not to acquire further such weapons in future.

"Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the whole House will join me in congratulating the forces of the United States and other coalition forces on their historic and comprehensive victory, which has destroyed Iraq's offensive military capability. We are thankful that it has been achieved with very few coalition casualties indeed, although our hearts go out in sorrow to the families of all those who have lost their lives, of every nationality. Our thoughts are also with those who have relatives or friends missing. On the latest information which I can give the House, our own casualties are 16 killed in action, seven seriously injured, and 12 air crew missing.

"Our forces deserve the highest praise for the courage and professionalism which they have displayed, in the air, on land and at sea. The consummate planning and execution of the campaign is a tribute to the outstanding leadership shown by the coalition's military commanders. It could not, I think, have been done better. Here, in our own country, we may be justifiably proud of our British forces and their commanders.

"Our thoughts are also with the people of Kuwait whose country has been liberated, albeit at the cost of appalling human suffering and the destruction of so much of their property and natural resources. I saw the Kuwaiti ambassador in London yesterday to convey our pleasure and relief at the liberation of his country. I am glad to tell the House that our ambassador has returned to Kuwait and was installed once again at the embassy around an hour ago.

"Mr. Speaker, the war has been won. Now we have to set about establishing a durable peace. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has already begun discussions with the United States and other coalition governments. Such a peace has many facets. It must provide for the security of Kuwait and the other countries of the Gulf. It must also deal with the other problems of the region, above all that of the Palestinians.

"In considering our future dealings with Iraq, we shall be clear that our quarrel is with the Iraqi leadership, not the Iraqi people, who are themselves victims of the war to which Saddam Hussein condemned them. I hope that we can maintain in the period ahead the remarkable unity of the international coalition which has been so important a factor in our success so far. We owe a great deal to President Bush for that and for his leadership throughout the campaign.

"I would also pay tribute to my right honourable friend the Member for Finchley, whose resolution and staunchness from the outset of the crisis played a key part in rallying international support for Kuwait's cause. Her action has been vindicated by events.

"Finally, may I assure the House of our intention to bring home our forces who have been engaged in the fighting as soon as possible. The whole nation is proud of them and of their families: and proud that, through their valour, freedom and justice have prevailed. It has been a victory for what is right".

My Lords, that concludes the Statement.

3.42 p.m.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, we are grateful to the noble Lord for repeating the Statement. We most warmly welcome the announcement by President Bush that a ceasefire has been declared and hope that the Iraqi Government will comply with all the reasonable and necessary conditions attached to the ceasefire so that the countries of the Middle East and the United Nations may proceed to work for a settlement of the problems of the region.

We are glad to know that the Iraqi army has been comprehensively defeated. Nevertheless, we cannot feel entirely at ease while Saddam Hussein remains president of Iraq. He alone has been responsible for the upheaval of recent years in the Middle East. He is responsible for the deaths of more Moslems than anyone in history. He pillaged and destroyed Kuwait, a small Moslem country, and in the process brought destruction and death on unfortunate Iraqis as well. However, the coalition forces could not proceed further and they have conformed to United Nations resolutions. We profoundly hope that the Iraqi people will very soon find new leaders of ability and compassion. We note that sanctions will continue to apply and we support that. Can the noble Lord say whether food and medical supplies will be allowed through to Iraq? That needs careful organisation to ensure that they go to the right people and the right destinations.

We note that discussions are to take place very soon. It is early days to be specific, but can the noble Lord say whether the Government will be asking for a United Nations presence in Kuwait to ensure that the conditions of the ceasefire will be complied with? Ministers have given the impression that British forces will be returning home very soon and that is confirmed in the Statement. I share that hope, but can the noble Lord say what that means in terms of time? Will it be weeks or months before British forces come back to this country? Furthermore, will the Government consider pressing for a United Nations commission of inquiry to investigate promptly and in detail the damage caused to Kuwait and its people?

My right honourable friend Mr. Neil Kinnock, who has also been firm and resolute throughout this critical period, referred to that possibility. It is important that that investigation should be undertaken soon while the evidence is fresh in people's minds and not deferred for weeks or months. Moslems everywhere, including Moslems in this country, should be made aware beyond doubt of the way in which the Kuwaitis were treated; and that should be compared with the civilised treatment accorded to Iraqi prisoners of war by coalition soldiers. We have seen that on television with great satisfaction.

Finally, perhaps I may say how deeply we have admired the skill and courage of our own Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in the Gulf. How relieved and glad we are that the conflict has ended and that they can now look forward to returning home to their families. We sympathise with those who have lost their dear ones, but we can also be thankful that the war has ended without the scale of casualties which many of us feared at one time would take place.

The leadership of President Bush has been firm and impressive. We are also glad that the authority of the United Nations has been maintained and strengthened. Great problems remain to be solved in the Middle East, but this is not the moment to discuss them. However, if they can be tackled in the same spirit and with the same skill as the forces have displayed we can look to the future with some optimism.

Lord Jenkins of Hillhead

My Lords, I join in thanking the noble Lord the Leader of the House for repeating the Prime Minister's Statement. Even more are we thankful for the circumstances which have occasioned it. It is a day of great relief. Quite recently the risks appeared considerable. We are profoundly grateful to our troops and those of the coalition nations for the brilliance of their success. The generalship has been outstanding.

We also pay tribute to the political leadership. Mr. Major has conducted himself in a way that has greatly aided national unity, which has been achieved and maintained to an exceptional extent. Mr. Bush also deserves our thanks and admiration. He has maintained the United Nations coalition with a remarkable mixture of determination and tact, and avoided stopping either too soon or too late.

We have heard occasional complaints in this House and elsewhere that it has been too much a United States war and not enough of a United Nations war. First, the Security Council seems to have been very much engaged; obviously at the beginning and also in the past few days. Secondly, without the United States taking the military lead the authority of the United Nations would have been a fairly empty shell. We may have some differences with Washington about the form of the peace and we may find ourselves again closer to our European partners, which of itself will be a good thing, but further away from the United States, which will not. The peace will pose many problems. We start to face them from a foundation of considerable gratitude to the United States.

There has also been vindication of the judgment of the great majority in this House and in the country that in mid-January the time had come when the authority of the United Nations had to be exerted through military action and not left to the leisurely consequences of sanctions alone. Both the conditions revealed in Kuwait City and the swift effectiveness of the military action justify that judgment. I pose only one question to the noble Lord the Leader of the House in addition to those put by the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn. I do so as a former Home Secretary speaking to another former Home Secretary. What are the Government's plans for the release of the Iraqis at present interned in this country? There is a slight danger of that being a blot on the record of the tradition of tolerance in this country.

Today is not a moment for triumphalism or for minimising the difficulties ahead. It is one for satisfaction at what has been achieved and gratitude for the avoidance of greater perils.

Lord Waddington

My Lords, I am sure the whole House will be grateful to the noble Lords, Lord Cledwyn and Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, for what they have said. I do not think that the mood of the House today is one of elation, but it is one of pride—enormous pride—in our forces. Parliament has something to be proud of too, because throughout the whole of this matter all sides of the House have stood together giving the Prime Minister the support he needed in order to do the job he was called upon to do. We are naturally very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, for what he has said about the work done by the Prime Minister and the leadership of the President of the United States. It would have been a terrible thing if after such a flagrant attack on a country we had been impotent and done nothing whatsoever. Indeed, we could have said goodbye to the United Nations as a force for good in the world, prepared to keep the peace and preserve freedom and justice.

The noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, said that we cannot be at ease so long as Saddam Hussein remains the leader. That, I fear, is true. On the other hand, as the days go by the extent of the defeat of the Iraqi forces will surely sink into the consciousness of the Iraqi public, as people stream back into Baghdad from the desert and from their defeated armies. Surely the time may come when they will decide that this man has led them to destruction and can no longer be their leader.

The coalition forces could not have continued to fight a defeated army. There was nothing more to fight. The House would also agree with me that we can take pride in that as well. We fought for a just cause and we have ended the war when the war ought to have been ended; when there was no war to be fought.

I cannot answer the question put by the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, about food and medical supplies. I should imagine that at the present time there is a great deal of disorganisation and much work to be done. I shall make inquiries, find out what might be done and write to him about it. Perhaps it would suit him better if I were to speak to him about it later this afternoon.

It is too early to say anything about whether there will be a United Nations presence, but the United Nations Security Council is to meet. These are very early days. I cannot answer the question put by the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, about a United Nations commission of inquiry, but I shall report what he has said to my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. The noble Lord also mentioned Iraqi prisoners of war. We can take pride in that as well because of the humane way in which they have been treated.

The noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, referred at the end of his remarks to general internment. A number of people have been detained after deportation orders have been served on them, the Secretary of State having determined that their presence in this country was not conducive to the public good on grounds of national security. One has surely to bear in mind at this moment that, although armed conflict may have finished, it does not follow that there is no terrorist threat in this country. I must leave it at that at the moment.

3.53 p.m.

Lord Bramall

My Lords, how relieved and proud we all were to hear the splendid Statement from the noble Lord the Leader of the House. Our first and overriding emotion must be one of heartfelt thankfulness that an essential and honourable task has been completed with so miraculously few casualties, although our hearts do indeed go out, as the noble Lord said, to the families of those who have lost their lives in the cause of justice and who, sadly, will be unable to share in the general elation of the rest of us. That is the tragedy of war. Our second emotion is one of pride and immense congratulations to all those who have been responsible for planning and executing such a brilliant military operation which I believe will stand in history as a classic campaign to be compared with any of the great battles of the past. It was designed with the greatest skill and imagination and executed faultlessly, with flair, courage and the highest possible professionalism.

The lion's share was borne by our American friends and allies, and it is so good to see them with such outstanding success under their belt. But we are naturally especially proud of our own armed forces who played such a notable part in the victory: our pilots in the Royal Air Force who bore the brunt in the early difficult and dangerous days; the ships and men of the Royal Navy who ranged the dangerous waters of the northern Gulf; and the commanders and troops of the 1st Armoured Division who struck so rapidly and fearlessly deep into the heart of the Iraqi army in the true spirit of armoured forces. They more than upheld the great tradition of their proud regiments in a way that their forefathers and predecessors in the Desert Rats, of both the Red and Black variety, would indeed have been so immensely proud, and indeed are so immensely proud, because there are some of us still around. What great armed forces we have. I do hope that this will not be forgotten when the guns have gone silent.

When the parliamentary delegation, including Members of this House, was in the Gulf before Christmas the message of the Gulf states was unmistakable: "We want Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. We want him taught a lesson. We do not want him in a position to do it again, but we do not want Iraq destroyed as a country". I believe that virtually all those laudable aims have been triumphantly achieved. If there are still things to do I am sure they can be done by tackling and organising the peace with the same flair, imagination and compassion that were shown by the commanders and troops in the field. I only hope that Parliament will be able to show the same unanimity over securing the peace as it has during the course of the war.

Lord Waddington

How right, my Lords, the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Bramall, was to point to the brilliance of the campaign—what a campaign—which has ended in the defeat of an enormous army in such a short time and with so few losses. But our hearts go out to those who have lost members of their families. It is something that we shall always remember—when our army goes into battle losses are bound to occur. People serve in the armed forces knowing that that is a risk they are prepared to take on behalf of their country. We are proud of them. The noble and gallant Lord said that our quarrel was not with the Iraqi people. That was said at the beginning of this matter: it remains so today.

The Lord Bishop of Chester

My Lords, from these Benches we join in thanking the noble Lord the Leader of the House for the Statement this afternoon. This has been a stunningly brilliant campaign and we want to echo that from the heart. We also want to give thanks for its swiftness, which still staggers the mind. The word "miraculous" has been used about the small number of casualties emanating from the Gulf yesterday and it has been repeated by the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Bramall, this afternoon. I do not think we should treat that word too lightly. It is amazing, and all of us are thankful for that, much as we deeply regret the totally unnecessary wastage of so many human lives, which could have been avoided if Kuwait had not been invaded.

I hope that noble Lords will have noticed that the Archbishops of the Church of England and the House of Bishops in general have consistently supported the Government's actions in the Gulf. In the face of evil aggression, which is something not to be tolerated in God's world, you need to balance the Biblical requirements to love your enemies with the Biblical command to fight against evil and to resist the devil so that he will run away from you.

The Archbishop of Canterbury designate defended that position in the face of considerable opposition recently in the World Council of Churches in Canberra. All Churches have been committed in prayer over these weeks and have been very active in caring for and supporting families of those involved in the Gulf. The Churches will now have the privilege of leading thanksgiving and in particular in urging that, alongside action for peace in the Gulf, we continue to pray for peace in the area in Biblical terms—the Shalom—which is not just the cessation of hostilities but the establishment of a wholesome, just and lasting peace for all who live in the Gulf.

One of the frustrations of being a Bishop in this House and leading Prayers is that you are confined exactly to the prayers in the Book. This week I have been especially frustrated as I wanted at least to lead the House in prayer in thanksgiving on Monday and again today—that is, if noble Lords had all been present in the Chamber earlier with the Law Lords. I am not allowed to do so, but perhaps in this small response your Lordships will allow me to say on behalf of most, if not all, people in this House, thanks be to God.

Lord Waddington

My Lords, I know that all Members of the House will greatly appreciate all that the right reverend Prelate said. It is indeed miraculous that so few lives have been lost in the campaign. I do not think that any of us has underestimated the importance of the support which the Bishops have given throughout. People have recognised the fact that they have said that this was a just war. That counted for a great deal with people in this country. So we thank the Bishops for their support.

The Earl of Selkirk

My Lords, does my noble friend have information about prisoners of war? For example, does he know whether they are alive, or where they are at present?

Lord Waddington

My Lords, no access has been granted to the Red Cross and therefore there is virtually no evidence whatever as to their whereabouts. However, it is top of our priorities to ensure that our prisoners of war are returned to us.

Lord Hunt

My Lords, I am very grateful, as I am sure all noble Lords are, that mention was made of the humane treatment of Iraqi prisoners of war, not only in general but also by individual captors on the allied side. In view of the large numbers who have been made prisoners of war—60,000 or 80,000—can the noble Lord give an assurance that such numbers are not proving to be an undue strain on the planned resources of the allied forces for detaining prisoners of war and keeping up the standards which we would wish to give to those men?

Lord Waddington

My Lords, I recall that plans were made to cater for up to 100,000 prisoners of war. It is possible that the figure of 60,000 or more which was mentioned in the Statement has now increased to something like 100,000. I rather gather from what I was told this morning that more and more prisoners are trickling in, many of whom have not been documented in any way. However, I have certainly heard nothing to suggest that facilities are not available to deal with all the prisoners of war who have come into our hands.

Baroness Phillips

My Lords, I should like to ask the Minister the question which everyone in the street is asking. What will happen to Saddam Hussein? Is he to be left there so that he can again twist the facts and say that he has only been defeated by half the West? Is he not to go out as a beaten and defeated general? That is an important issue. The war is not yet over and it must be finished so that Saddam Hussein can never again do exactly what he did in Kuwait.

Lord Waddington

My Lords, Saddam Hussein, the villain of the piece, is not in the hands of the allies. But the conditions for a formal ceasefire certainly involve full compliance with all the UN Security Council resolutions, which include the renouncing of the claim to Kuwait and the acceptance of responsibility to pay reparations; the immediate release of all allied prisoners of war, third country nationals and the remains of those who lost their lives; the release of all Kuwait detainees; and compliance with the requirement that the Iraqis must help to clear up the danger which they have created and inform the Kuwaiti authorities of the nature and origin of all land and sea mines.

We could well ask today, "Well, what happens next?". We must wait and see what comes forth from the UN Security Council meeting. However, this is not a ceasefire; it is a temporary suspension of offensive military operations because there was no army left to fight. It is now up to the Iraqis to comply with the very proper demands of the allies.

Lord Elton

My Lords, this was indeed a staggering military achievement to which the British forces made a significant and honourable contribution. I hope that we shall not forget that it would not have been possible without a staggering diplomatic achievement in which the British played a considerable part. To achieve that amount of world unanimity under the tensions which existed before the war began was a notable accomplishment. It gives us confidence that the diplomatic services of the world, and especially those of this country, are equal to achieving an honourable and lasting peace.

Lord Waddington

My Lords, I entirely agree with my noble friend. Indeed, there must have been many times during the past few months when we have held our breath and wondered whether the international coalition would hold together. However, it did so, as a result of the efforts of the leaders. We owe them all our thanks. Time and again we heard siren voices expressing the view that we should wait and perhaps sanctions would eventually do the trick. But when we now see the appalling destruction carried out in Kuwait and the rape and pillage which took place, how much longer could we have waited while such atrocities continued to occur? As I said, the leaders kept the coalition together and it has now fought a victorious war. Kuwait is free and we are all thankful to God for that fact.

Viscount Slim

My Lords, I should like to ask the noble Lord the Leader of the House to bear in mind that when it comes to the repatriation of the Iraqi prisoners of war to Iraq, if Saddam Hussein is still in power it may be rather dangerous to return them to their country where they may receive the type of reception which we know he can give them. That applies especially as regards the senior officers who have been captured. Perhaps I may remind the House that we do not want another Yugoslavia.

Lord Waddington

My Lords, I take the noble Viscount's point. However, it is almost too early to express an opinion. I do not believe that we are near the stage when large numbers of prisoners of war will be returned to Iraq.