HL Deb 30 November 1994 vol 559 cc598-600

2.56 p.m.

Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can confirm that the no-fly zone over northern Iraq will be extended by the allies beyond December for a further six months.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the Government of Turkey are expected to discuss in December the extension of the basing agreement for aircraft patrolling the northern no-fly zone in Iraq. We have made clear that we attach importance to the continuation of the northern no-fly zone for as long as Saddam Hussein poses a threat to that area.

Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Does he accept that Saddam Hussein would have crossed the border into Kuwait a second time if it had not been for fear of reprisal from the allies? Does he agree that exactly the same situation exists in northern Iraq and that, if he has no fear of reprisals, then Iraq will cross that border—I refer to the 36th parallel—and will kill the Kurds? Will my noble friend therefore ensure that he fights as hard as he can to ensure that the no-fly zone continues for another six months?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, of course my noble friend is quite right. We can never rule out further threats from Saddam Hussein. We continue to watch the situation extremely carefully. We must maintain no-fly zones while the threat of repression remains. Operation Provide Comfort, which I am sure my noble friend knows well and which is based in southern Turkey, is crucial to the security and stability of northern Iraq. We strongly hope that the Turkish Government will agree to the extension of the operation when it expires at the end of December.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that the Kuwaiti people now believe that they live in reasonable safety with the protection of, primarily, the British and the Americans? Can he say that that protection will be forthcoming and that in no way will we take any risk that will allow Saddam Hussein to attempt to obliterate Kuwait as he did before?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I can give that assurance too. I am also glad to be able to inform the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, that the Speaker of the Kuwaiti Parliament is in London at this very moment. That is another symbol of the closeness of our bilateral relationship.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, can the Minister comment on reports that the UN Special Commission on the Disarmament of Iraq is so short of funds that it has begun contingency planning to close its operations? Does he agree that that is entirely unacceptable? Can he tell the House what action the UK Government are taking to rectify that situation?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I am not aware of that particular situation. I have not heard that rumour. On investigation, whatever information I come across, I can assure the noble Baroness that she will receive a prompt reply from me.

Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare

My Lords, will the Minister be kind enough to express to the Turkish Ambassador the appreciation of the Kurdish people in northern Iraq, especially remembering the unpleasantness they have received from the PKK?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I know that the Turks are well aware of our appreciation of their co-operation over Operation Provide Comfort.

Lord Kilbracken

My Lords, were the Turks to refuse permission for the flights to continue, is there any reason why they should not continue from some other base or country in the Eastern Mediterranean?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, it would be idle speculation to make any comment on that. We have strongly intimated the necessity to the Turkish Government that the agreement should remain for a further six months. We very much hope that that will be the case.