HL Deb 20 June 1991 vol 530 cc264-6

3.18 p.m.

Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of any moves at the United Nations or elsewhere to lift sanctions against Iraq; and whether they will oppose any such moves.

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

My Lords, the first 60-day review of the sanctions regime on Iraq under Security Council Resolution 687 is taking place in New York. There is no agreement in the Security Council that its terms should be modified. We made it clear to the council on 11th June that we opposed any modification of the regime.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that that is a very welcome reply? In so far as the Russians have attempted to get some sanctions lifted, it is right that we should hold out against such proposals. Does the Minister agree that sanctions must be maintained until all goods stolen by Saddam Hussein from neighbouring peoples are returned, all prisoners of war released, and until atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein's troops have been thoroughly investigated and full reparation made to those who suffered? Unless those conditions are met, sanctions must be maintained.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I agree with the list given by the noble Lord. I should add that we want full compliance with the terms of the cease-fire. We want the release by Iraq of the Kuwaiti detainees, the return of stolen property and notification of the complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

Lord Renton

My Lords, can my noble friend give us an assurance that in view of the anxiety and uncertainty about the resettlement of Kurds in Northern Iraq, sanctions will not be lifted until their future happiness and security there is beyond doubt?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, we firmly take the view that sanctions must remain. We do so for the very reasons that my noble friend has pointed out, as I confirmed to the House yesterday.

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, following the exchange in the House yesterday and the Minister's reply today, may I ask whether he is aware that what he said and what his right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has said about the retention of forces in the safe havens is extremely welcome to those on these Benches, as I am sure it is to noble Lords on all sides of the House? In relation to sanctions, will the noble Earl add to the list to which he referred the safety and welfare of those Shi'ite Moslems in southern Iraq who are at present surrounded in the marshes by Saddam Hussein's forces?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I shall go further and say that our concern is for all the civilians of Iraq and add to the list that Iraq must provide an explicit renunciation of terrorism.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, while many of us welcome what the noble Earl has just said, he will have to be careful and watch the Secretary General of the United Nations, whom the noble Lord, Lord Annan, described as a man without any spine at all—in other words, gutless. Therefore it is important that, whatever we do, we do it on our own and ignore the United Nations at least for once.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I fear that I am not as good at the anatomy of the body as the noble Lord. Enormous credit is due to Sir David Hannay, our permanent representative in New York, who is doing a wonderful job.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, on this side of the House we welcome the noble Earl's replies. Can he say whether any guarantees given by Saddam Hussein would be acceptable to the Government?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, we would certainly wish to ensure that any guarantees given by Saddam Hussein were ones that were enforceable.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, bearing in mind the savage destruction of Kurdish and Kuwaiti property, does the noble Earl agree that at least 50 per cent. of Iraq's oil revenues should be taken to repair the damage that Saddam Hussein's forces inflicted on the Kurds and the Kuwaitis?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the principle of compensation is well laid out in Security Council Resolution 692. That is being discussed at the moment. I am sure that everyone will take note of what the noble Lord has said today.