§ 26. Mr. CouchmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest information on developments in the Iran-Iraq war.
§ Mr. MellorAlthough we have seen nothing on the scale of last year's offensives near Basra, fierce fighting continues in Kurdistan, where there have also been recent claims of the use of chemical weapons. The "war of the cities" involving the exchange of missile attacks on major514W Iranian and Iraqi cities also continues, resulting in the deaths of many innocent civilians. Attacks on shipping in the Gulf have recently resumed after a three-week lull.
We deplore the continuation of the conflict and call on both sides to implement Security Council resolution 598 immediately, most importantly a complete ceasefire.
§ 56. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress towards achieving a ceasefire in the Gulf conflict.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe Security Council issued a statement on 16 March reaffirming the need for immediate implementation of SCR 598, and supporting the Secretary-General's intention of having intensive consultation with emissaries from Iran and Iraq. In parallel, work is continuing on an arms embargo resolution.