§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what röle United Nations forces have in the prevention of export of oil from Iraq; [76933]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of barrels of oil, and the value in US dollars, exported illegally each year from Iraq to each first destination; [76934]
(3) if he will make a statement on the illegal export of oil by road from Iraq. [76932]
§ Mr. FatchettNo UN forces are specifically assigned to preventing the export of oil from Iraq. It is for individual member states to implement UN sanctions. A Multinational Interdiction Force, to which the UK regularly contributes maritime assets, patrols the Gulf to reduce the volume of illegal trade with Iraq, particularly oil, the most lucrative source of income for the Iraqi regime. We regularly make representations to Iraq's neighbours on the importance of preventing such a trade.
HMG estimates that illegal exports of refined oil products via the Gulf since 1995 are as follows:
1995: 20,000 metric tonnes, valued at $2 million (one metric tonne is equivalent to 7.33 barrels).1996: 264,585 tonnes valued at $30 million.1997: 1,550,692 tonnes valued at $100–130 million.1998: 1,929,260 tonnes valued at least at $100 million.1999: approx 37,000 tonnes for January and February. Illegal exports of refined products via Turkey are:1995: valued at $20 million.1996: approx 710,000 tonnes valued at $22–50 million.1997: valued at $70–150 million.1998: possibly between 1.7–10.4 million tonnes over the year, estimated at a value of approximately $300 million.Illegal oil exports via Syria, probably both crude oil and diesel, started in the second half of 1998. HMG cannot assess the quantity or value.