Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreign Policy.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

41 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view on the continued air attacks being mounted by the United States and Britain against Iraq; if the Government regards the attacks as being mandated by the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12037/99]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

77 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland supports the plan submitted by France to the UN Security Council which calls for the lifting of the oil embargo and a looser system to monitor Iraq's arsenal of weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/99]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

86 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, being made by the international community and specifically the EU to establish peace and stability in Iraq. [12012/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 77 and 86 together.

The issue of peace and stability in Iraq is a matter which is primarily the responsibility of the Security Council of the United Nations. The council has been actively seized of the matter since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.

In November 1998 the Security Council considered a report by the chairman of UNSCOM indicating that there was serious non-compliance by Iraq with the provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions. The issue of the destruction of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction – weapons which that regime has not hesitated to use on innocent civilians – was not one that could be dismissed. Iraq must comply fully with the terms of the resolutions of the Security Council relating to this issue.

I have made my position on the question of the US and British military activity against Iraqi air defences clear on a number of occasions. I was deeply disappointed that the use of force was deemed necessary in December. As to whether such activity is properly mandated by the Security Council, the determination of this is a matter in the first instance for the members of the council.

I remain concerned at the continuation of this military action. I cannot see it having other than negative effects on the grave humanitarian situation facing the Iraqi people. I can only hope that this activity comes to an end as soon as possible.

The Security Council began, in January 1999, a major discussion on the options regarding the full implementation of all the relevant Security Council resolutions by Iraq. To assist it in this task, the council decided to establish three separate panels to address issues relating to humanitarian assistance, arms inspections and prisoners of war respectively.

As regards the plan submitted by France in January, I welcomed the thrust of this plan when it was first tabled. Some at least of the elements in this plan have been reflected in the panels' reports.

On 25 February the UN Secretary General presented a report to the Security Council on the implementation of the United Nations oil for food programme over the previous 180 day period. It found that while there had been an increase in the amount of oil exported, the revenue received was down due to the fall in oil prices. Consequently, less was available for the humanitarian programme. In addition, partly due to poor Iraqi distribution arrangements and partly to stockpiling by that Government, $275 million worth of medicines and medical supplies were accumulated in warehouses in Iraq.

In early April the three panels referred to above furnished reports to the council. The report on humanitarian issues stated that the gravity of the humanitarian situation of the Iraqi people is indisputable and cannot be overstated. To help remedy this situation the panel made a number of recommendations addressed both to the international community and to the Iraqi Government. These included proposals for securing additional funding for the programme such as the lifting of the ceiling of allowable oil exports from Iraq and authorising bilateral production sharing agreements between Iraq and foreign oil companies. These measures could free an extra $300 million every six months for the humanitarian programme.

The report on disarmament issues reviewed the information on Iraq's programmes of weapons of mass destruction as uncovered by the teams of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and UN Special Commission UNSCOM set up by the council in 1991. It found that, while the situation regarding nuclear weapons and proscribed missiles was satisfactory, there still remained major questions relating to chemical and particularly to biological weapons, where critical gaps made it impossible to provide a complete picture. It concluded that an approach focused on ongoing monitoring and verification including intrusive inspections might offer the opportunity to enlarge the scope of policy options for the council. The key issue was obtaining the acceptance of the Iraqi authorities for such a system.

The third report addressed the issues of nearly 700 missing prisoners of war and Kuwaiti property. On the first issue, since the beginning of 1999, the Iraqi regime has refused to take part in the meetings of the relevant commission. On the return of Kuwaiti property the report found the level of co-operation by the Government of Iraq inadequate.

The reports of these three panels were considered by the Security Council in April. I understand that consultations are ongoing.

I am most concerned at the evident humanitarian crisis facing the Iraqi people and will continue to urge that everything possible be done to end it.