73 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the proposals before the UN Security Council sponsored by the United Kingdom and the United States address the need for restoring the infrastructure of Iraq that is so vital for the recovery of society; and his views on whether encouraging the inflow of consumer goods while at the same time impeding the recovery of the basic economic and social infrastructure will be to the benefit of the general population of Iraq. [17805/01]
Written Answers. - UN Sanctions.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:86 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the latest US and UK initiative on Iraq at the UN Security Council is a genuine attempt to resolve the humanitarian crisis in that country; and if the Government has made alternative proposals at the Security Council on the issue. [17918/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 86 together.
The Government has consistently made clear its grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Iraq. It therefore welcomes the initiative by Britain and the United States for changes to the operation of the UN sanctions regime on Iraq. In our view the new proposals appear to be a major step in the right direction. We are examining those proposals closely and are playing an active and constructive role in the negotiations in the Security Council where agreement on a new resolution is required by the end of this month.