§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are taking place with his European Community counterparts about their release of blocked Iraqi funds for(a) the financing of trade in goods not embargoed under United Nations Security Council resolutions 706 and 712 and (b) for settling creditors' claims; and what sums have been released in the case of each Community country, including the United Kingdom under each head.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe regularly exchange views with our European Community partners about all aspects of policy towards Iraq. Iraq continues to refuse to export oil to pay for essential humanitarian supplies and to meet claims for compensation as provided for in UN Security Council resolutions 706 and 712.
In conformity with the ruling of the United Nations sanctions committee we released £70 million of Iraqi funds frozen in the UK for the purchase of humanitarian goods of British origin following the release of Mr. Ian Richter in November 1991. We do not plan to release further assets.
There is a general agreement among our EC partners that Iraqi funds should remain frozen until Iraq meets its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions. We have no figures of any frozen Iraqi funds released by our partners.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of the Vienna talks between representatives of the United Nations and the Iraqi Government.
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§ Mr. Douglas HoggDespite a further round of talks between the United Nations and the Iraqi Government in Vienna in June the Iraqi Government still refuse to export oil to finance the purchase of essential humanitarian supplies as provided for in United Nations Security Council resolutions 706 and 712.