§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made representations to the Vatican to urge the Pope to cancel his proposed visit to Iraq in December. [HL4234]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have discussed the proposed Papal visit to Iraq with officials from the Holy See. We have expressed concern that the visit will be manipulated by the Iraqi Government for propaganda purposes and represented as evidence of Papal support for Saddam Hussein's regime and its policies.