Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reason the UK rejected the Iraqi appeal to halt patrols over the no-fly zone on the day of the solar eclipse on 11th August.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the UK rejected the Iraqi appeal to halt patrols over the no-fly zone on the day of the solar eclipse on 11 August. [98277] Mr. Hain: We remain fully committed to patrolling the no-fly zones set up to limit Baghdad's repression of the Iraqi population. We are not prepared to leave innocent civilians exposed to attacks by the Iraqi air force. Our patrolling poses no threat to those on the ground. Only when Iraqi forces try to shoot down our aircraft are we forced to respond in self-defence. Civilian facilities would, of course, never be targeted.

Secondary information