§ Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's GovernmentWhether they agree with the United Nations Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission that Iraq could have the ability to reconstruct its missile launchers; and, if so, what action they intend to take. [HL1671]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Yes. The UK Government agree with the United Nations Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission that Iraq could have this ability. However, since the withdrawal of UN weapons inspectors in December 1998, there have been no independent inspections of Iraq's weapons programmes. We cannot, therefore, state categorically that it does have the ability. Together with our P5 partners, the UK is actively engaged in producing a revised, more tightly-targeted regime to control Iraqi imports of the equipment required for its research development and rebuilding programmes.
We continue to urge Iraq to allow the entry of UN weapons inspectors as required under UN Security Council Resolution 1284.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Al-Fath and Al-Raad missiles have a potential range beyond the limit of 150 kilometres prescribed under United Nations Security Council Resolution 687; whether those missiles were on display at the annual Iraq Army Day Parade in July; and, if so, what action they intend to take. [HL1672]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanFollowing the withdrawal of UNSCOM inspectors from Iraq in December 1998, there has been no independently-verifiable inspection or monitoring of Iraq's weapons programmes. It is not possible, therefore, to assess whether there has been any development work on these missile systems that might extend their range beyond the 150 kilometre prescribed limit.
We continue to urge Iraq to allow UN weapons inspectors into Iraq to monitor and verify its ballistic missile and other weapons of mass destruction capabilities as required under UN Security Council Resolution 1284.