The Earl of Carlisleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken, are taking and will take, to enforce the sanctions regime on Iraq; and [HL47]
What range of measures they are taking further to reduce breaches of the United Nations embargo on trade with Iraq. [HL48]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Since August, we have participated in a series of occasional intensified maritime operations into Iraqi waters. These operations have significantly reduced the volume of illegal oil transiting the Gulf. Trade in smuggling oil is the most lucrative source of illegal income for the Iraqi regime.
We have made formal representations to Iraq's immediate neighbours to encourage tighter enforcement of the UN embargo, most recently with other members of the EU Troika, on behalf of the EU.
We have sent messages to other regional governments, EU partners and Security Council members stressing the importance of sanctions enforcement in keeping the pressure on Iraq to comply with its obligations under the UN resolutions.
We continue to raise individual cases of suspected breaches of the embargo with foreign governments. We also investigate allegations of sanctions breaking activities by UK companies.