Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 May 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 May 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 discussions his Department has had since January 2000 with Arab nations' foreign affairs ministries on trying to arrange for the re-admission of United Nations inspectors into Iraq.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had since January 2000 with Arab nations' foreign affairs ministries on trying to arrange for the re-admission of United Nations inspectors into Iraq. [112602] Mr. Mike O'Brien: As part of our efforts to ensure the return of UN inspectors in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1,284, the Government regularly had discussions with a wide range of other Governments, including those in the Middle East. We continue to believe that it is desirable that there should be independent verification of any discoveries of Iraqi WMD made by coalition forces following the recent military campaign. We are actively engaged in discussions with the aim of establishing an independent verification regime for any such discoveries. UN inspection teams remain an option.

Secondary information