Written question asked by Michael Fabricant (Conservative) 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, if the Iraqi government signified to the Secretary General of the United Nations its willingness to co-operate with the UNSCOM inspectors after the orders had been given by the Prime Minister to launch an attack; how long before the attack on targets in Iraq was due to commence, the communication from the Iraqi government was received by the United Nations; and what was the source from which the Iraqi government learned that an attack was imminent. - Inc ref to 319 c607-10.

Answer: Mr. Fabricant: To ask the Prime Minister if the Iraqi Government signified to the Secretary-General of the United Nations their willingness to co-operate with the UNSCOM inspectors after the orders had been given by the Prime Minister to launch an attack; how long before the attack on targets in Iraq was due to commence, the communication from the Iraqi Government were received by the United Nations; and what was the source from which the Iraqi Government learned that an attack was imminent. [60668] The Prime Minister: As I made clear in my statement on 16 November 1998, Official Report, columns 607-10 a private warning from the UK was delivered directly to the Iraqi Permanent Representative at the UN on 12 November. On the morning of 14 November I gave final authorisation for the use of force against Iraq that afternoon. Just over two hours before the attack was due to commence, we learned that the UN Secretary-General had received a message from the Iraqis. The Iraqis can have been in no doubt about our resolve to take action.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c752-3W; 60668
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Armed conflict Bombings Iraq UN Special Commission on Iraq UN Secretariat