Gulf War (Hansard, 16 December 1987)

§ 16. Mr. Corbett
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the use of chemical warfare in the Gulf conflict.

§ Mr. Mellor
A report by a United Nations inspection team confirmed that chemical weapons had been used in April by Iraq against Iranian troops and civilians. It also mentions chemical weapons injuries to Iraqi troops, but it is unable to apportion blame. There were unconfirmed reports of further chemical weapons use by Iraq in October. We unreservedly condemn all use of chemical weapons, and we are in the forefront of moves to obtain a global ban on these hideous weapons.

§ 26. Mr. Page
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps he is taking to seek to bring to an end the conflict in the Gulf.

§ Mr. Mellor
We continue to believe that the best hope of achieving a lasting peace in the Gulf is through the immediate implementation of Security Council resolution 598 in full. To this end, we fully support the United Nations secretary general in his efforts to obtain compliance by Iran and Iraq.
560W
We are also playing a leading role in discussions on implementation of Security Council resolution 598 within the Security Council. Along with others, we are pressing for work to begin on enforcement measures, as agreed by the Foreign Ministers of the Five on 25 September. My right hon. and learned Friend raised this most recently with Mr. Shevardnadze on 7 December.

§ 57. Mr. Michael Welsh
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to convene a meeting of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to try to find a way of ending the Gulf war.

§ Mr. Mellor
The Five Foreign Ministers met in New York on 25 September and agreed a twin-track approach to ending the conflict via the implementation of Security Council resolution 598. The secretary general would continue his efforts to persuade Iran and Iraq to comply with resolution 598 whilst the representatives of the Five worked on enforcement measures. The representatives of the Five in New York continue to meet to monitor progress on the first track, and we seek to begin serious work on the second. We continue to believe that this approach offers the best way forward.