§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they associate themselves with the remarks of the National Security Adviser to the President of the United States to the effect that the United States recent missile attack on Baghdad carried a "lesson" for North Korea, and if not whether they will ensure that no further unilaterally-determined attacks by the United States, or by any other country, except in the cases of bona fide self defence, are given post factum approval by the United Nations Security Council.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyLike many other countries, we are concerned about North Korea's nuclear programme and its record on the proliferation of other weapons. We note that some progress was made at the recent US-North Korean talks in Geneva on 14th-16th July about North Korea's status under the non-proliferation treaty. We hope to see the matter resolved peacefully. Any state which uses force in exercise of its right to self-defence is obliged to report on the matter to the United Nations Security Council.
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§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they concur with the opinion expressed by the United States Secretary of State that the development of nuclear weapons by North Korea would affect the United States' "vital national interests" and, if so, whether this indicates a United States claim to a right to take unilateral military action against North Korea.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe, like the United States and others in the international community, are greatly concerned by the situation in North Korea, and welcome the current diplomatic efforts by the United States to find a peaceful solution through their bilateral dialogue with the North Korean Government. A judgment of what might affect a state's vital national interests is solely a matter for the country concerned.