The Kurdish People (Hansard, 3 February 1992)

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)
My Lords, we shall continue to monitor the situation in the region and remain in touch with Kurdish political leaders. We shall be ready to respond as necessary. We are determined to keep up the pressure on Iraq to fulfil all its obligations under Security Council resolutions.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, I am grateful for that encouraging reply from the Minister. Will he further agree that Mr. Jeffrey Archer did a remarkable job in encouraging the Kurdish people and in his subsequent broadcasts in this country he has helped to open the eyes of our people? But one matter causes perturbation. Is it possible that in four or five weeks' time the British and Americans could leave the area? That would cause grave anxiety to the Kurdish people and others.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am grateful for the tribute that the noble Lord has paid to Mr. Jeffrey Archer for the work he has done. The report that he brought back after his recent visit showed how grateful the Kurds are to the British Government for the help we have given them. Regarding the coalition 2 forces at the moment based in Southern Turkey, I can tell the House that they will remain there at least until the end of June.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, is it not the case that the blockade that the Iraqi regime is conducting against the Kurds is against the United Nations resolution to which the noble Earl referred? Will he say what action is to be taken in connection with the Prime Minister's suggestion that there should be an aid donors conference? Is such a conference to be convened and, if so, when?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we are discussing with our allies and UN agencies how to ensure that adequate supplies continue to reach the population of Northern Iraq for the reason given by the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn: that is, the blockade being put on them.
Regarding the conference, yes, my right honourable friend the Minister for Overseas Development, Mrs. Lynda Chalker, wishes to hold a conference to reinforce the commitment we have to that part of the world.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, can the noble Earl say what will be done to put this man in Baghdad in his place? His behaviour is precisely as though he had won the Gulf War. What action is being taken to relieve the Kurds from an illegal blockade?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, considerable action is being taken at the United Nations. Perhaps it would be best if I quoted what my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in New York on 31st January: The Security Council cannot ignore that breach of Resolution 688. We cannot lay down the shield we have provided to protect Iraq's vulnerable communities". We shall continue with it.

§ Lord Mellish
My Lords, we appreciate everything that is being done by this and other governments to help the Kurds. However, is not the real trouble Saddam Hussein? How long will that wretched man stay in power?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we would shed no tears if he went today.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, the terrible thing that scares everyone in that part of the world is one man, probably one of the most appalling Fascists of all time—Saddam Hussein. However, there is one point in Mr. Jeffrey Archer's report which he stressed and I ask the Government to consider it: for the Kurds to be able to eat next year they must plant the seeds for their food this year. Could this be considered or referred to the United Nations with the confidence that we shall not allow Saddam Hussein to harm the Kurds so that they will be able to grow the food they require in due course?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, that is exactly the kind of assistance we wish to give. Obviously, the Kurds would like to live a quiet, peaceful life in their own part of the world. We wish to encourage them to do that.