§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the results of UNSCOM' s examinations of the presidential palaces in Iraq. [60093]
§ The Prime MinisterA full report on the UNSCOM/IAEA inspections of Presidential sites in Iraq from 26 March to 4 April was sent by the United Nations Secretary General to Security Council members on 15 April.
The report recorded a superficially co-operative atmosphere, but that the sites had very obviously been extensively cleared before the inspectors entered.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the lines of accountability which apply to UNSCOM. [60089]
§ The Prime MinisterUNSCOM is directly accountable to the United Nations Security Council.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 11 November 1998,Official Report, column 364, if he will ask the Iraqi Government for what reasons they require the removal of the UN weapons inspectors. [60091]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Iraqi Government's announcements of 5 August and 31 October clearly state their reasons for withdrawing co-operation from UNSCOM and IAEA, and their conditions for the restoration of co-operation. United Nations Security Resolution 1205, adopted unanimously on 31 October, condemns Iraq's actions as a flagrant violation of its obligations under relevant Security Council Resolutions. What is needed is not further explanation from the Iraqi Government, but full compliance with their obligations.
373W
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 11 November 1998,Official Report, column 364, if he will place in the Library evidence found by the French and Swiss on all aspects of weapons destruction. [60092]
§ The Prime MinisterA multinational group of experts met on 22-23 October to consider all the results of the analyses of Iraqi missile fragments carried out by laboratories in the US, France and Switzerland. The expert's report concluded that the evidence from the three laboratories conflicted with Iraq's declarations that these warheads had never been filled with any CW agents, including VX. The Executive Chairman of UNSCOM, Richard Butler, submitted the group's report to the President of the United Nations Security Council on 26 October. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.