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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 6

Written Answers. - Iraqi Crisis.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

50 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the continued air attacks being mounted by the United States and Britain against Iraq; the Governments further views on whether the attacks are being mandated by the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/99]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

51 Mr. M. Higgins 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. [8935/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.

Since the middle of February when the situation of Iraq was last raised in this House there have been a number of developments of note.

In Iraq itself, US and British military aircraft are continuing their activities directed against Iraqi air defences. The Government has made its position as regards such activity clear on a number of occasions. We were deeply disappointed that the use of force in December was deemed necessary. We remain concerned at the continuing military activity both because of its negative effects on the plight of the Iraqi people and because of its destabilising effects both on Iraq and on the region as a whole. I would again reiterate my hope that the current military activity should come to an end as soon as possible.

The issue of whether a particular action is consistent with decisions of the Security Council is a matter in the first instance for the members of the Council. In the present case opinion seems to be divided. It is the responsibility of the Council to resolve such differences.

The humanitarian situation is one of greatest concern. The Security Council appointed on 30 January three special panels to study the three main aspects of the Iraqi issue and asked them to report back to it by the middle of April. The three panels address issues such as humanitarian assistance, arms inspection and prisoners of war.

On 25 February the UN Secretary General presented a report to the Security Council on the implementation of the Oil for Food Programme over the previous 180 day period. The main points of the report were as follows: while there had been a increase in the amount of oil exported, the revenue received was down due to the fall in oil prices. As a result only $1.8 billion was available for the humanitarian programme; the first consignment of spare parts and equipment for Iraq's oil refineries agreed under an accelerated approval process had begun to arrive; and 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.

Although Security Council members were not fully agreed on the reasons for the inadequacies revealed by the report, there was no dissent following the call by the representative of the Secretary General for a need to look more imaginatively at ways to enhance the programme. I am confident that the UN panel, to which I referred earlier, will present some new proposals to the Council in this context.

The relevant European Union CFSP Working Group is also seized of this issue. Ireland is taking an active role in its deliberations.

As I indicated in my reply of 17 February to another question on Iraq, I welcome the general thrust of the proposal tabled by France. I am sure that it will be reflected in the report of the panels which I mentioned earlier and will no doubt be given further consideration by the Security Council when it discusses those reports.
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