§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how British forces applied the Geneva conventions covering protection of(a) hospitals and (b) cultural assets in Iraq in the period following the immediate end of hostilities. [111359]
§ Mr. IngramI have been asked to reply.
The aim of coalition forces is to create and maintain a stable and secure situation in Iraq. As soon as it was judged safe, forces were assigned to secure specific medical and cultural sites. This tasking will continue until the people of Iraq are able to assume responsibility for that security.
§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with US counterparts about the engagement of Dyncorp to provide security operatives to Iraq. [112510]
495W
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienNone.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the whereabouts and situation of the Kuwaiti prisoners of war held captive in Iraq after the Gulf War of 1991. [113077]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienSadly, we have no further information on the Kuwaiti missing. When information becomes available it will be made public as quickly as possible.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set up a facility via the British Embassy in Iraq for people to get a message about their health and safety to relatives in the UK. [113167]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe British Office Baghdad is staffed by a small team and consequently can operate only in a limited capacity. As the situation stabilises, we would hope to increase staffing of the office and extend the range of services on offer, in line with other diplomatic missions. However, people in Iraq can send 'safe and well' messages to relatives via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Relatives outside Iraq can send such messages via the ICRC's special website (www.familylinks.icrc.org).