HL Deb 01 December 1997 vol 583 c142WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have been informed, or in any way given to understand, that the United States will not agree to the raising of sanctions against Iraq until Saddam Hussein has been removed.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

On 7 November, the US Secretary of State's press spokesman made the following statement: "If Saddam Hussein complies with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, we will support a process by which sanctions can be suspended and lifted. There is no question about that. That has been our policy for some time."

There is no obstacle to sanctions being lifted while Saddam Hussein is in power other than his own persistent refusal to comply with the relevant SCRs.