Written question asked by Mark Francois (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 January 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 January 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, What plans he has to ensure long-term stability in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure long-term stability in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [91802] Mr. Mike O'Brien: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary explained in his written statement of 7 January, our priority is to secure Iraqi compliance with UN Security Council resolutions, including on giving up weapons of mass destruction. We are working to ensure that Iraq becomes, in the Foreign Secretary's words, "a stable, united and law abiding state, within its present borders, co-operating with the international community, no longer posing a threat to its neighbours or to international security, abiding by all its international obligations and providing effective and representative government for its own people."

Secondary information