Iraq (Hansard, 19 July 1993)

§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)
My Lords, we are in close touch with the US Government on all aspects of policy towards Iraq.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. I am glad to hear that that contact is being maintained but many people are asking whether that is enough. Kuwait was occupied and the Iraqis were removed by the Americans and British through the magnificent endeavours of the RAF. However, Kurds, Shi'ites, Kuwaitis and Saudis are now living under another threat. Is it not time for the United Nations, perhaps with Britain and America taking a lead, to remove that awful threat?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, we are determined to keep up the pressure on Iraq to implement in full all the relevant United Nations resolutions. We wish to see Iraq fulfil its obligations and we shall not hesitate to use force if necessary to ensure compliance with United Nations resolutions which Iraq flagrantly defies across the board at present.

§ Baroness Blackstone
My Lords, will the Minister give the House an assessment of the effectiveness of UN sanctions against Iraq? Will she also inform the House as to whether the Minister of State, Mr. Douglas Hogg, who is currently—I believe, today—in Jordan, will be taking up the issue of sanctions with the Jordanians as it appears that a number of goods are crossing the Jordanian-Iraqi border?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, I have no doubt that my right honourable friend Mr. Hogg will take up those matters with Jordan. We believe that sanctions have had an effect, but I should point out straight away to the House that food and medicines to Iraq are permitted under the sanctions regime. We do not believe that sanctions should be lifted until Iraq complies fully with the relevant Security Council resolutions.

§ Lord Mayhew
My Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm that the Iraqis have now agreed to the latest arrangements for inspection? How do the 514 Government assess the effect of the inspections for example, is it now accepted that all Iraq's nuclear facilities have been destroyed?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, first, it is not yet certain that Iraq has agreed to the work that Ambassador Ekeus has been doing there. He is hopeful that he will convince Iraq that it must meet its obligations. The Security Council statement of 18th June set out what Iraq must do or it must face serious consequences. Ambassador Ekeus is still in Baghdad. As the inspections have not been carried out fully, we must carry those matters further. The noble Lord, Lord Mayhew, asks me further about what is going on there. I must say to him that we must wait a few more days.

§ Lord Geddes
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that there was a report on the news on the radio at noon today which confirms what I believe the noble Lord, Lord Mayhew, said in his question?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, I regret that I did not listen to the news at 12 noon or at one o'clock—I was busy doing other things. We hear many reports and we usually wait 12 to 24 hours; to find out whether or not they are confirmed. Therefore, it would be unwise for me to comment further.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that almost the whole world realises that Saddam Hussein completely ignores any demand of the United Nations? Therefore, he is not merely damaging relations between one nation and another; he is damaging the name and constitution of the United Nations. Would it not be better for the United Nations to indicate with its vigilance that it is not impossible that United Nations military resistance to any threat made by Saddam Hussein will be made a reality? It appears that Saddam Hussein knows no other language than that used by the Americans and British when they thrust him right out of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, we are long way on from what happened in 1991 with one major exception, as the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, said; that is, that Saddarn Hussein has not complied with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. As I said to the noble Lord, Lord Mayhew, we continue to work for that. But the responsibility for what continues to happen in Iraq lies solely with Saddam Hussein. Sadly, it is the ordinary Iraqi people who are suffering so very greatly.

Lord Bruce of Donington
My Lords, in the event of the threat to the security of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia intensifying and in the event of it becoming necessary to consult with our partners in the European Community about that, will the noble Baroness give the House an assurance that, in view of Belgium's previous attitude towards the conflict in the Gulf, the complete co-operation of the Belgian presidency will be forthcoming?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, unless I am severely misinformed, I do not think that any 515 action that was necessary in the Gulf would actually be carried out by Belgian forces. It is far more likely to be carried out by French forces, with whom we have good co-operation, and United States forces. Therefore, the position of the current presidency of the European Council of Ministers will probably not come into the matter at the decision-taking stage.