§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has received concerning the bombing of non-military targets in Iraq; [120610]
(2) what recent representations he has received concerning the bombing of military targets in Iraq; [120273]
(3) what plans he has to assess the effects of the continued bombing of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [120611]
§ Mr. HainAs I have told the House on many occasions, we are not conducting a bombing campaign against Iraq. UK and US aircraft continue to patrol the No Fly Zones, established in 1991 and 1992 in response to a situation of overwhelming humanitarian necessity, and in support of UN Security Council resolution 688 which called on Iraq to end its repression of the civilian population. They stop Saddam Hussein using his aircraft against his own people, as he did with such horrific consequences in the past. Since late 1998, Iraq has waged a systematic campaign to shoot our aircraft down. Direct threats against our aircrew have included missile attacks and heavy anti-aircraft fire. Our aircraft only take action when they are forced to do so to defend themselves. I am aware of claims, chiefly from the Iraqi Government, that our aircraft deliberately target civilians and civilian facilities. That is a lie. Only military targets clearly connected with the threat to our aircraft are targeted, and even then only when we are wholly satisfied that the associated risks are minimal. I am confident that our patrols prevent Saddam Hussein from adding yet more crimes to his appalling human rights record.