Enda Kenny
Ceist:153 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government formally supports the stance of President Bush to begin preparations for a war against Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10289/02]
Written Answers. - War Against Iraq.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:154 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have been shown evidence of the association of the Iraqi Government with the terrorist al Qaeda Group; if this is the basis for the declaration of support by the Taoiseach for a war on Iraq by the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10290/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
There are no indications from our contacts with the US Administration, or from discussions between the EU and US on the subject of Iraq, that the US is considering taking military action against Iraq in the near future.
In his meeting with the Taoiseach, President Bush expressed grave concern at Iraq's defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, the threat posed by Iraqi efforts to develop chemical and biological weapons and its refusal to co-operate with the UN disarmament mission. However, President Bush indicated that the US has no immediate plans for military action. The US Administration has indicated that it is reviewing policy on Iraq but that, at present, its efforts will continue to be focused on achieving agreement in the Security Council on reform of sanctions and for the return of the UN arms inspectors. Following the meeting, the Taoiseach expressed the view that President Bush wanted to see justice, peace and the wellbeing of the world protected and that he was prepared to make every necessary effort to achieve that.