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Iraq (Basra Incident)

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his expression of condolences on behalf of the parties for whom he speaks, and I accept and welcome them on behalf of those for whom they are intended. I am in no doubt that as well as the military objectives that we set ourselves, the reconstruction objectives are very important to pacification and the restoration of normality of life and opportunity for the people of Iraq. The hon. Gentleman does not need to remind me of that, but he makes a valuable point. I know that the long-term pacification of Iraq and the opportunity for its citizens to live a full life in a democratic society—as they want to do—depends on both coming together.