asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, this country has taken both at EC level and at the United Nations to seek a means to bring to an end the Iran-Iraq war, which has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
Written Answers. - Iran-Iraq War.
30.
The Government views with deep concern the mounting toll of death and destruction as well as the continuing threat to international peace and security posed by the war between Iran and Iraq. We strongly support efforts to bring about a just and peaceful solution. We have appealed in the United Nations, in the framework of European Political Co-operation and in bilateral contacts with both parties for the speedy and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 598. This mandatory resolution which calls for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all forces to internationally recognised borders represents in the UN framework the sole basis for securing a comprehensive, just, honourable and durable settlement. We fully support the efforts of the UN Secretary General to secure its urgent implementation. We have made clear on a number of occasions our particular concern about specific aspects of the conflict. We have repeatedly expressed our unreserved condemnation of the use of chemical weapons and the need for strict compliance with the principles of international humanitarian law prohibiting the use of such weapons in armed conflict. We have made known our concern at attacks on centres of population which further increase the suffering of the civilian populations of both parties. We have also condemned attacks on unarmed shipping in the Gulf and made clear our support for the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.
The Government will continue, both nationally and in close co-operation with our partners in the Twelve, to urge both parties to work toward an early and peaceful settlement by responding fully and expeditiously to the mandatory call of the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire leading to a negotiated settlement.