Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
204 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the issue of civilian casualties (details supplied) during the US-UK invasion of Iraq with the US President Bush at the proposed EU summit. [7236/04]
View answerThe Government does not have any information on casualty figures other than those readily available in the public domain. These usually vary between 8,000 and 15,000. My officials have been in contact with relevant multilateral organisations on this matter but none of the organisations involved was in a position to give us such figures, as they either did not compile them or could not guarantee their reliability.
The Government has from the outset called on all parties in the conflict in Iraq to respect their obligations under international law. This policy is in keeping with the public pronouncements of UN Secretary General Annan and had been established long before the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1483. This resolution calls upon all concerned to comply fully with their obligations under international law, including, in particular, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Hague Regulations of 1907. The protection of civilians in time of war is specifically covered by the Fourth Geneva Convention. The US and UK have publicly committed themselves to doing so.
The Government will continue to stress the importance of adhering to international law in appropriate contacts with the US. As for the summit meeting that will take place with the United States in June, the Taoiseach will represent all the member states of the European Union and, accordingly, will convey to President Bush positions which will have been agreed by the Union as a whole.
