§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of(a) shepherds and (b) sheep killed by US and UK action in Iraq. [84576]
§ Mr. George RobertsonI am aware of Iraqi claims that recent actions in the no-fly zones have caused civilian casualties and killed livestock on 29 and 30 April and again on 12 May. If these claims are true the casualties are deeply regrettable. Civilians and civilian property are never deliberately targeted by coalition pilots. Their mission (in support of UNSCR 688) is to prevent Saddam's air forces from persecuting the Kurds and Shia Muslims of northern and southern Iraq. The military action undertaken in the no-fly zones in recent months has been in response to Iraqi attempts to shoot down or otherwise threaten aircraft and kill aircrew.