Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 November 1998. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Thursday, 19 November 1998 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 16th November, Official Report, 319 c612, concerning the views of the international community, what evidence he has obtained that (a) the UN Secretary General, (b) Iran, (c) the Arab world, (d) Russia, (e) China and (f) France accept that next time Iraq obstructs the work of UN inspectors there will be no formal negotiation regardless of last minute pleas and letters.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 16 November 1998, Official Report, column 612, concerning the views of the international community, what evidence he has obtained that (a) the UN Secretary General, (b) Iran, (c) the Arab world, (d) Russia, (e) China and (f) France accept that next time Iraq obstructs the work of UN inspectors there will be no formal negotiation regardless of last minute pleas and letters. [60736] The Prime Minister: On 15 November the UN Secretary-General stated that, if there were a next time, he was not sure that there would be time for further diplomatic initiatives and appeals. France has acknowledged the role of the threat of force in resolving this crisis. The Security Council as a whole has called for Iraq to demonstrate unconditional and sustained co-operation with UN inspectors and the Damascus Declaration states (Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and UAE) held Iraq responsible for any consequences resulting from a refusal to resume co-operation with UNSCOM.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c752W; 60736
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Armed conflict Iraq France Foreign relations UN Special Commission on Iraq Gulf states UN Secretariat