The Gulf: Future of Coalition (Hansard, 18 March 1991)

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we are sure that members of the coalition which took such effective action to reverse the Iraqi aggression towards Kuwait will now turn their energies toward the other outstanding problems of the Middle East. These will require different, though perhaps no less difficult, remedies.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, bearing in mind the severe problems which now afflict the people of that area, is the noble Earl aware that his reply is most encouraging and indeed very sensible? Does he agree that even if a cease fire is arranged this week the United Nations ought still to support the coalition, not only morally and politically but with other United Nations organisations, to try to help the afflicted people of that area?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, certainly we all wish to see a resolution of the problems in the area which are complex and diverse. We stand ready to play our part along with other members of the coalition.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House under what conditions the coalition forces would resume military operations? Is there any truth in the reports that Saddam Hussein is currently using chemical weapons? If that proves to be the case, would that be one of the conditions that would justify re-starting operations?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we have seen the reports but have not received any confirmation that chemical weapons have been used against the insurgents in Iraq. We have consistently made plain to the Iraqis that any use of chemical weapons would be viewed very seriously indeed.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, at what point do the Government anticipate the removal of sanctions from Iraq? Can we expect sanctions to continue at least until Saddam Hussein has stopped bombing his own people?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the sanctions were imposed by the United Nations. It is up to the United Nations to determine whether they should be lifted.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, if the restructuring work of the coalition, which is urgently necessary, can be carried out, will it continue to have financial support from the United Nations?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am not sure that I fully understand the noble Lord's question about restructuring. There will certainly be a lot of finance needed to put some of the countries which have suffered back on their feet.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, one of the outstanding problems is the severe pollution in the Gulf, both at sea and along the coast. Can the noble Earl say whether this Government still support action to reduce that pollution? In other words, what are we doing?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, yes, we are certainly supporting the action that has been taken. So far as I am aware, we have made a contribution. This matter is being examined by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, does the noble Earl agree that one of the great outstanding problems is the future of the present regime in Iraq? Does the coalition as such have any view on what is happening in Iraq at the moment? Do her Majesty's Government have any view on it? Do they have any information that the noble Earl would like to convey to the House about what is happening in Iraq? When American troops are moved up into forward positions does that mean that it is a movement of coalition forces or of US troops by themselves? Are other coalition forces involved, including British troops?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the situation in Iraq is somewhat confused and changes by the minute. Any coalition forces in that theatre of operations at the moment are there under the auspices of the United Nations.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, in his reply to me on the subject of sanctions the noble Earl stated that they were a United Nations responsibility. What view are Her Majesty's Government putting to the United Nations as to what should happen; or have the Government no view?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we are putting forward the view that we very much abhor what is happening at the moment in Iraq. We seek the earliest possible peace for all the countries in that area.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, bearing in mind the bellicose actions and rantings of Saddam Hussein over the past few days, would not a withdrawal of allied forces from that area be the worst possible signal to send to that man at this time?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we are talking about a situation in an Arab country. It is very much for the Arabs themselves to sort it out. If they want any help from Britain and the coalition forces, I am sure that we shall be willing to play our part.

Lord Bruce of Donington
My Lords, my noble friend's Question refers to the coalition. To what extent is the coalition as it now exists likely to be reinforced by other members of the European Community which do not seem so far to be very much involved in the coalition?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am not sure why the noble Lord thinks that other members of the European Community have not been involved. They certainly have.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, will the noble Earl clarify a response that he gave to me earlier? He stated that the coalition troops at the moment in the Gulf are under United Nations authority. I believe that that was the expression he used. As I understand it, the United Nations Security Council passed a series of resolutions in order to liberate Kuwait. Is it not the 396 case that Kuwait has been liberated but coalition troops are now in southern Iraq? In order to do anything in Iraq would there not have to be further resolutions from the Security Council?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, there are a number of coalition troops in that area. They are gradually being withdrawn, as the noble Lord will know, and matters are being discussed in the United Nations.