§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the cost to the United Nations of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM)'s activity in Iraq so far; whether in their view, or to their knowledge in the view of the United States, it will ever be possible for UNSCOM to certify, without the continuing military occupation of that country, that Iraq retains no capability to recommence its weapons of mass destruction programmes; and in the absence of any such certainty, what are the implications for the raising of economic sanctions in Iraq. [HL586] [10 February]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanI refer to my Answers of 1 December regarding UNSCOM's operating costs. Iraq is not under military occupation. Security Council Resolution 687 makes it clear that, when the Security Council is satisfied that Iraq has fully complied with the requirement to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction and is co-operating fully with UNSCOM over Ongoing Monitoring and Verification, the restrictions on exports from Iraq will be lifted.