§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the Security Council of the United Nations the question of amending motion No. 598 on the Iran/Iraq war in such a way as to make clear the responsibility of Iraq for starting the conflict by its invasion of Iranian territory; if he will make a statement; and if he will publish the text of the motion in theOfficial Report.
§ Mr. MellorSecurity Council resolution 598 was passed unanimously and represents a carefully balanced package which takes into account the concerns of each side in the conflict. The resolution calls inter alia for the establishment of an impartial body to inquire into responsibility for the conflict. The establishment of such a body is one of a number of elements of implemementation of the resolution currently under discussion. It would not be wise to pre-empt the work of the body.
Copies of the resolution have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his current assessment of the conditions which the Government of Iran have accepted as a basis for ending the war with Iraq.
§ Mr. MellorIt is not up to the Government of either Iran or Iraq to impose conditions for ending the conflict. Both sides have a legal obligation to abide by Security Council resolution 598. The United Nations Secretary-General is discussing with the two sides implementation of the resolution. These discussions and the detailed positions of the two sides are confidential.