§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government has taken to implement UN Resolution 57/232 to provide for human rights monitors in Iraq. [101405]
§ The Prime MinisterThe UK helped to draft and sponsored this resolution, which condemns the appalling human rights situation in Iraq. Together with international partners, the UK takes every opportunity to raisethe human rights situation in Iraq. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's report on Iraq's human rights violations, published on 2 December 2002, exposes the sheer brutality of the Iraqi regime.
The Iraqi Government has refused to allow human rights monitors to be stationed in Iraq. For the 10 years prior to February 2002 it would not even allow the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights access to Iraq.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Bush on the means by which it is intended to ascertain whether, in the event of war with Iraq, all weapons of mass destruction on Iraqi soil at the start of the conflict have been destroyed or captured intact; and if he will make a statement. [102528]
§ The Prime MinisterThe primary objective of UNSCR 1441 is the disarmament of Iraq. No decision has been taken to launch military action against Iraq.
I regularly discuss all aspects of Iraq policy with other Governments, including the US Government. These discussions have included the issue of the continuation of the disarmament of Iraq.