Iraq (Hansard, 13 February 2004)

§ Norman Lamb
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reason elements of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi were incorporated into the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement; [153061]
(2) for what reason elements of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi were altered before incorporation into the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; who authorised these alterations; and if he will make a statement; [153062]
(3) who authorised the use of parts of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi in the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; when the decision to do so was taken; and if he will make a statement. [153063]

§ Mr. Rammell
The circumstances surrounding the inclusion of Dr. Al Marashi's PhD thesis in the document produced by the Communications Information Centre in February 2003, and the roles of the officials involved, were set out in a memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the then Director of Communications at 10 Downing street dated 24 June 2003 (paragraphs 11–16), and in his evidence before the Committee on 25 June 2003 (questions 1064–1090).

§ Joan Ruddock
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iraqi Governing Council regarding Sharia law in Iraq. [153703]
84W

§ Mr. Rammell
It is for the Iraqis to debate and decide the future laws suitable for their country. We will seek to use our influence, however, to ensure that Iraqi law is compatible with international human rights standards.

§ Sir Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he expects will become of the(a) International Advisory and Monitoring Board and (b) Iraq Development Fund after a sovereign government of Iraq is established; to whom control of the monies will be passed; and if he will make a statement. [154547]

§ Mr. Straw
According to UN Security Council Resolution 1483, Iraqi revenues from the export of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas should be deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) until aninternationally recognised, representative government of Iraq is formed. Unless the Security Council decides otherwise, it will then be for that government to decide how they handle future revenues. At the same time, there will remain a continuing obligation on UN member states to transfer financial assets or economic resources of the former Iraqi regime to the DFI.
Resolution 1483 does not envisage an end to the International Advisory Monitoring Board (IAMB) with the formation of an Iraqi government. Unless the Security Council decides otherwise, we would expect the IAMB to continue in existence after the formation of that government.

§ Sir Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British representatives sit on the Programme Review Board which determines expenditure in Iraq; what the relationship of the Board to(a) the United Kingdom Government, (b) the US Government and (c) the Iraqi Governing Council is; and if he will make a statement. [154548]

§ Mr. Straw
The Programme Review Board (PRB) was established to enable emergency or unanticipated extra-budgetary spending requests to be brought to a joint Iraqi-Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) body for assessment and authorisation. CPA Regulations 2–4 (available online at www.cpa-iraq.org) outline the criteria for the PRB's operations.
The relationship of the UK and US Governments and the Iraqi Governing Council to the PRB is reflected in the distribution of voting members of the PRB. which includes representatives of: the Governments of the United Kingdom and Australia; the Iraqi Minister of Finance (who is accountable to the Iraqi Governing Council); Officials from the US and other coalition members from the CPA's Economic Affairs, Governance and Security Policy Offices, and Office of Infrastructure and Operations; the Iraqi Council for International Co-operation; and the Coalition Military (Combined Joint Task Force 7).
One UK Voting Member may attend the Board.

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition he uses of humanitarian intervention, with particular reference to the invasion of Iraq. [154978]
85W

§ Mr. Rammell
Our decision to take military action was to enforce Iraq's disarmament obligations, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. It was taken as a last resort. The Iraqi regime's refusal to cooperate left us with no option. Authority to use force against Iraq derived from the combined effect of UNSCRs 678, 687 and 1441; and all of these resolutions were adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the use offeree for the express purpose of restoring international peace and security.
Clearly, however, the removal of Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime has had humanitarian benefits for the Iraqi people. The coalition and international community are helping to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure. Donors have committed $33 billion in grants and concessional loans; and Iraq's assets and oil revenue are now being used for the benefit of the Iraqi people.

§ Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission inspectors discovered at the Al-Rafah test site; whether additional information has since been found by the Iraq Survey Group; and whether the Government has obtained further information since September 2002 on Al-Rafah in addition to that produced by the UN Special Commission on Iraq and the Iraq Survey Group. [155057]

§ Mr. Mullin
As reported by Dr. Hans Blix in the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) working document on unresolved disarmament issues published on 6 March 2003, UNMOVIC inspectors discovered the construction of a new liquid propellant test stand at Al-Rafah designed for both horizontal and vertical testing of engines for Al-Samoud missiles.
The Iraq Survey Group is continuing to carry out investigations at sites throughout Iraq. They will present their findings in due course.

§ Sir Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library all minutes in English of the Coalition Provisional Authority Program Review Board to date. [155287]

§ Mr. Straw
Yes. These minutes are also available on-line at the Coalition Provisional Authority website: www.cpa-iraq.org/budget/program_review_board. html.

§ Mr. Tynan
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) financial and (b) other support the Government are giving to promote inter-religious dialogue in Iraq. [155564]

§ Mr. Rammell
The UK Government are funding an inter-faith conference in Baghdad this month, organised by Iraqis with support from the International Centre for Reconciliation based at Coventry Cathedral. Participants have been drawn from the leaderships of mainstream Iraqi religious communities. This is one of a number of initiatives which aim to promote religious dialogue in Iraq. UK and Coalition Provisional Authority officials are in regular dialogue with religious leaders about a range of issues.
86W

§ Sir Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the organisation of regional caucuses in the British-controlled areas of Iraq. [155858]

§ Mr. Straw
On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the process and timetable for the handover of power to a sovereign Iraqi Government and democratic elections. Since then the Coalition Provisional Authority has engaged in a process of consultation with the Governing Council and others on the best way to establish a transitional national administration before full democratic elections are held. The UN Secretary-General sent a technical team to Iraq this month to examine the options for elections. His team's report was due on 21 February. We look forward to receiving its recommendations, to which we will give serious consideration.

§ Sir Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed deadline for transfer of power to a transitional Government in Iraq. [155859]

§ Mr. Straw
On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the process and timetable for the hand-over of power in Iraq, including the establishment of an Iraqi transitional Government by 30 June 2004. We believe that deadline remains realistic and are working hard to achieve the hand-over by that date.

§ Sir Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the mandate of a transitional Government in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [155860]

§ Mr. Straw
On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) announced the process and timetable for the hand-over of power in Iraq. This includes the drafting of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which will define the powers and principles of the Iraqi transitional administration. It is important that the TAL gains wide acceptance among Iraqis. It is currently being debated within the IGC. We will use our influence to help ensure that the TAL safeguards fundamental rights and contributes to the building of a free, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours.