§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iraqi interests section of the Jordanian embassy about the release of funds for Iraqi students and their host academic institutions in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesWe have urged the Iraqi interests section of the Royal Jordanian embassy on many occasions to settle outstanding bills in respect of students sponsored by the Iraqi Government. We have recently assisted them to set up a mechanism which facilitates the settlement of these bills. This mechanism conforms to the provisions of the United Nations sanctions regime.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the latest position over the UN-supervised programme of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; and if he will itemise what has so far been destroyed and the likely number yet to be dealt with.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesUN inspectors continue to carry out inspections and monitoring in Iraq in accordance with Security Council resolution 687.
Destruction on prohibited items, facilities and components is under way. The UN estimates that destruction of chemical agents will continue for a further nine to 10 months; the extent of other destruction activity has yet to be determined.
Inspectors have so far supervised the destruction of:
62 Ballistic Missiles and Supergun
- 62 ballistic missiles
- 10 ballistic missile launchers
- 18 fixed sound launch pads
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government and the UN towards the sale of oil by the Iraqi regime; what response there has been so far from the regime; and what steps have been taken to publicise the reasons for the present UN policy among the populations of UN member states.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe sale of oil by the Iraqi regime is forbidden under the terms of United Nations Security Council resolution 687 until the Government of Iraq comply with the provisions of that resolution which laid out the terms of the ceasefire. But under the provisions of two subsequent UN Security Council resolutions, 706 and 712, Iraq is able to export up to $1.6 billion worth of oil in exchange for the financing of humanitarian imports. The Iraqi Government have chosen not to implement these resolutions. We have consistently called on Iraq to implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We also hope that Iraq will take advantage of the opportunity to export oil. We have made our position clear on frequent occasions, notably with other members so the Security Council at the regular reviews of UN sanctions against Iraq.