Iraq (Hansard, 10 February 1998)

§ 24. Ms Squire
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in Iraq. [26454]

§ 22 Mr. Fatchett
We and our Security Council partners are actively pursuing a diplomatic solution to the crisis. But we cannot rule out a resort to force if our diplomatic efforts fail to shift Saddam's intransigent stance.
141W
Saddam Hussein has a horrifying arsenal of Weapons of Mass Destruction and we know from past experience that he is prepared to use them. It is vital for regional and international peace and security that UNSCOM be allowed full and unrestricted access to all suspected WMD sites and that his WMD capability is destroyed. A paper detailing UNSCOM' s achievements and the need for its continuing unrestricted operation has been placed in the Library of the House and sent to all Members.

§ Mr. Campbell-Savours
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date his Department's officials were first informed of the use of chemical weapons at Halabja in Iraq. [26399]

§ Mr. Fatchett
[holding answer 3 February 1998]: According to Foreign Office files, the FCO first became aware of the use of chemical weapons at Halabja on 19 March 1988.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports Her Majesty's Government have received of the terms of negotiations between Russian Foreign Minister Primakov and the Iraqi regime in the last six months; what reference was made to the prospect of the ending of sanctions in return for compliance with UN resolutions with particular reference to access for weapons inspectors; what agreement was reached; what consideration Her Majesty's Government gave to this; and if he will make a statement. [28588]

§ Mr. Fatchett
We welcome the initiatives of Russian envoys and others in trying to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis with Iraq.
The Iraqi regime has offered a one-off inspection of Presidential sites to be conducted by UNSCOM and representatives of the P5. This offer falls short of the Security Council's demand for full and unrestricted access to UNSCOM for all sites that it wishes to inspect. It is not for Iraq to set conditions for its co-operation with UNSCOM.
All Council members agree that the process of ending sanctions cannot begin until Iraq complies with relevant Security Council resolutions.

§ Mr. Howard
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 2 February 1998,Official Report, column 719–20, what progress has been made in tabling the draft Security Council resolution; and what is the current text of the resolution. [28884]

§ Mr. Fatchett
We continue to take the lead in discussions with Security Council partners. Our aim remains to send a tough and united message to Saddam Hussein. It would not be right to make public the precise text before we have discussed it with Council partners.

§ Mr. Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will establish an independent inquiry into the activities of(a) British banks and (b) subsidiaries of foreign banks based in Britain in the funding of the sale of British manufactured military or military capable technology to Iraq since 1980. [28168]

§ Mr. Fatchett
No. But we would be interested to see any information that my hon. Friend feels should be brought to our attention.