HC Deb 25 January 1999 vol 324 c3W
16. Mr. Martin Bell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of Operation Desert Fox. [65539]

Mr. George Robertson

Operation Desert Fox was a success. It met our military objectives. We assess that 87 per cent. of targets were damaged or destroyed and that the ability of Saddam Hussein to make or use chemical and biological weapons or otherwise threaten his neighbours has been set back significantly. I have sent a full report on the effects of Operation Desert Fox to all Members and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of civilian casualties caused by the bombing of Iraq during December 1998. [65480]

Mr. George Robertson

The risk of civilian casualties was a major consideration in selecting targets during Operation Desert Fox and only precision guided weapons were used where there was any risk of collateral damage. Indeed, Operation Desert Fox was the most accurate bombing campaign in which we have ever been involved. Whilst the Iraqi regime have prevented UN humanitarian workers from independently viewing all but a carefully selected few of the sites hit, we are confident that civilian casualties were minimal.

Sir Peter Emery

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the selection of targets during the recent bombing of Iraq was influenced by reports received from any member of UNSCOM. [66001]

Mr. George Robertson

[holding answer 20 January 1999]: I do not discuss detailed operational issues and withhold such information under category 1a (National Security and Defence) of the Code of Conduct. Both the UK and US Governments have made it clear, however, that all information exchanges between themselves and UNSCOM have been strictly in pursuit of UNSCOM's mandate to dismantle Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction capability. Target selection for Operation Desert Fox was a very thorough and detailed process involving information from a wide variety of sources.