§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the consequences of military action against Iraq in(a) Iraq, (b) the Arab world and (c) Iran. [26985]
§ The Prime MinisterSaddam has demonstrated that he is prepared to attack his neighbours by attacking Iran in 1980 and Kuwait in 1990.
So long as Saddam Hussein retains the capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction he will remain a real threat to his own people and to the whole Middle East region.
It would not be sensible to speculate on possible military action at this stage.
We, and Security Council partners, continue to pursue through diplomatic means the objective of ensuring full Iraqi compliance with the Council's demands.
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§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 28 January 1998,Official Report, column 348, to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson), concerning Iraq, to which neighbours he was referring; and what action he has taken to ascertain their view of the efficacy of bombing without the use of ground forces. [26807]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 27 January 1998,Official Report, column 130.