Iraq (Hansard, 20 May 2003)

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on export controls for items on the military and dual-use list to(a) Iraqi Interim Authority and (b) the future Government of Iraq; if the Government has discussed the matter with (i) the USA, (ii) the EU and (iii) the UN; and if he will make a statement. [110392]

§ Mr. Rammell
The Government favours lifting of sanctions on Iraq as soon as possible. There may be a requirement for some restriction on supply of military and dual-use equipment for some time. We are in intensive discussions on the range of issues related to sanctions-lift with the US, with EU partners and with the United Nations.

§ Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had since January 2000 with Arab 725W nations' foreign affairs ministries on trying to arrange for the re-admission of United Nations inspectors into Iraq. [112602]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
As part of our efforts to ensure the return of UN inspectors in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1,284, the Government regularly had discussions with a wide range of other Governments, including those in the Middle East.
We continue to believe that it is desirable that there should be independent verification of any discoveries of Iraqi WMD made by coalition forces following the recent military campaign. We are actively engaged in discussions with the aim of establishing an independent verification regime for any such discoveries. UN inspection teams remain an option.

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy was in 1999 on the use of intermediaries between the UK and the Iraqi regime; and what intermediaries were used(a) formally and (b) informally. [114183]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
[holding answer of 16 May 2003]: We have found no record of use of intermediaries in 1999.