§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister when he last discussed with the US Administration the force levels required(a) to provide internal security in Iraq and (b) to allow British and American forces to provide for their own protection; and if he will make a statement. [123682]
§ The Prime MinisterI am in regular contact with President Bush on all aspects of the reconstruction of Iraq. We will maintain an appropriate military presence for as long as necessary, providing both internal security and for force protection of our personnel. As far as British forces are concerned, we keep our requirements under review, but we judge that our current force levels in Iraq are sufficient.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister when he last discussed with the US Administration the duration of the mission of British and US forces in the occupation of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [123683]
614W
§ The Prime MinisterI am in regular contact with President Bush on all aspects of the reconstruction of Iraq. As we have made clear before, we have committed ourselves to the long-term humanitarian, political and economic welfare of the Iraqi people. We will help them to restore effective representative Government for all their people, to regain economic stability, and to reintegrate into the international community. Our Military Campaign Objectives contain a commitment to the withdrawal of British military forces from Iraq when the job is done.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister whether he has made proposals to the US Administration for the United Nations to assume greater responsibilities for the reconstruction and internal security of Iraq and for the creation of a new Iraqi Government and representative political institutions. [123751]
§ The Prime MinisterPresident Bush and I made clear our support for a vital role for the United Nations at Hillsborough on 8 April 2003.
We co-sponsored Security Council resolution 1483, which appointed the UN Special Representative for Iraq and set out the vital role the UN should play in humanitarian relief, the reconstruction of Iraq, and the restoration and establishment of national and local institutions for representative governance.
The Special Representative, Sergio Vieira de Mello, is now playing a full part in discussions in Iraq on the implementation of UNSCR 1483 and is working closely with US Ambassador Bremer CPA, other senior coalition representatives (e.g. UK Special Representative, John Sawers) and emerging Iraqi leaders.
In addition to the UN's humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq, UK, US and UN officials are exploring possibilities for UN involvement in policing, law and order, legal reform, human rights, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of military forces (DDR), and support for an Iraqi Interim Administration when formed, including help in drafting a new constitution and preparing for elections. We very much welcome the expertise the UN can bring to the reconstruction of Iraq.
§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to trace the members of the security services who leaked information to the BBC in connection with dossiers on Iraq. [123843]
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing further to add to my previous answer to the hon. Member on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 616W.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement of 18 March 2003,Official Report, column 764, if he will publish the translation which he used of the remarks by President Chirac on which he based his statement that France said that it would veto a second resolution, whatever the circumstances. [123820]
§ The Prime MinisterThe original French text of the television interview given by the President of France on 10 March 2003 and the English translation are available on the official Elysee Palace website:www.elysee.fr 615W The translation of the French President's statement is:
My position is that, regardless of the circumstances, France will vote "no" because she considers this evening that there are no grounds for waging war in order to achieve the goal we have set ourselves, i.e. to disarm Iraq".President Chirac repeated in a private conversation with me that France would block, by veto, any resolution that contained an ultimatum.