HL Deb 24 February 1999 vol 597 cc119-20WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether United States proposals to topple Saddam Hussein are compatible with the text of the Security Council Resolution 1205 (1998), in which the words are found "reiterating the commitment of all member states to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Kuwait and Iraq". [HL998]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Questions about US policy on Iraq should be directed to the US Government.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have been consulted by the United States Administration on:

  1. (a) the desirability of financially and militarily supporting Iraqi opposition groups to secure the dismantling of Iraq, as the United States Secretary of State has been advocating to governments in the Middle East; and
  2. (b) the undesirability of dismantling Iraq, as urged in evidence to the United States Congress by the United States Commander in Chief of Allied Forces in the Middle East, General Zinni;
and what long-term policy British military activity in Iraq is intended to support. [HL999]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government have consultation with the US over a range of issues relating to Iraq. The long-term aim of British policy towards Iraq is full Iraqi compliance with the relevant Security Council Resolutions.