§ Lord Ahmedasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the democratically elected regional government in Northern Iraq. [HL 1673]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe UK respects the territorial integrity of Iraq. We also support autonomy for the Kurds of Northern Iraq, including the establishment of a democratic process leading to free and fair elections.
§ Lord Ahmedasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the oil for food programme (UNSC 986) has improved the standard of living of Kurdish people. [HL1674]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalAccording to UN reports on the implementation of the Oil for Food programme in Northern Iraq, a number of indicators point to an improved standard of living of Kurdish people, including: considerable improvement in the nutritional status of children under five years of age, with a consistent decline in chronic malnutrition rates; infant mortality rates are lower than before sanctions were imposed; an estimated 95 per cent of the population now have access to treated water; improvements in health including significant progress with the implementation of a vaccination programme which is now being used to reach groups such as nomads, internally displaced people and those in remote highland areas.
§ Lord Ahmedasked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have in relation to the ethnic cleansing of Kurdish people in Kirkuk by the regime in Baghdad. [HL16751
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Iraq has received many accounts from opposition groups and refugees and NGOs' reports of the forced relocation of non- Arabs from the Kirkuk area. We and our European colleagues call on the Government of Iraq to end all human rights abuses in Iraq.
§ Lord Ahmedasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether providing security to the Kurdish people in Northern Iraq is cheaper than looking after the exodus of refugees. [HL1676]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalIt is impossible to compare the financial cost of providing security and looking after refugees. However, there is no doubt that the present situation of relative peace and stability is far better for the people of Northern Iraq than the violence, repression and uncertainty of life under Saddam's rule.