§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress the UN Committee on Iraq has made since 14 November 1993, in investigating reported breaches by Iraq of UN Resolutions 687 and 688, particularly in the southern marshes.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyA team from the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) visited the southern marshes of Iraq in November 1993 to investigate if civilians had been subject to attacks using chemical weapons contrary to Security Council Resolutions 687 and 688. The team found no immediate evidence that chemical weapons had been used. A final report will be issued once analysis of samples from the area has been completed.
We will maintain pressure on Iraq to observe Security Council Resolution 688 and other resolutions and to cease repression of its civilian population including Kurds and Shi'as. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iraq of 26 November. With the United States, France and Russia we made a demarche to Iraq on 5 January protesting against Iraqi behaviour.