§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to long-term coalition presence in the Gulf.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have made it clear that it is for the states of the region to take the lead in establishing lasting security arrangements for the Gulf, We stand ready to play our part in underpinning such arrangements, if requested, but we have no intention of maintaining a permanent ground force presence in the Gulf.
§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to bring war charges against Iraqi leaders; and if he will make a statement on British policy on this issue.
§ The Prime MinisterIraqi leaders bear personal responsibility under international law for their actions. This principle was reiterated in United Nations Security Council Resolution 674. In the case of both the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Genocide Convention of 1948, Iraqi leaders can, in law, be brought to trial before a national court or international tribunal. We and our EC partners have asked the United Nations Secretary-General to investigate how this might be achieved.