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Iraq
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the explanation given to the UN by the Iraqis for the non-distribution of $275 million worth of medicinal supplies; and what reports he has received concerning incomplete apparatus and quality control tests on these supplies. [77254]
Mr. Fatchett:
I share my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's assessment, as set out in the answer of 16 March 1999, Official Report, column 573, of the Iraqi memorandum about the non-distribution of $275m worth of medical supplies. It is an unconvincing attempt by Iraq to divert responsibility for the distribution problems in the centre and south on to others. In the northern governorates, where distribution is carried out by UN agencies, no problems in the distribution of medical goods were noted in the UN Secretary-General's report.
18 Mar 1999 : Column: 764
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the British delegation at the UN has taken to implement UN resolutions in regard to the children in Iraq. [77327]
Mr. Fatchett:
HMG has always worked to ensure that UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq are implemented. We were at the forefront of efforts to introduce the UN "oil for food" humanitarian programme and continue to do all we can to help the Iraqi people. Recently, the UK mission has been working at the UN to press Iraq to prioritise contracts effectively, so that the food and health needs of the Iraqi people, including vulnerable groups such as infants, are put first. They have, for example, raised concerns that Iraq has not so far submitted contracts to the Sanctions Committee for high protein biscuits (for pregnant and lactating mothers) and has submitted contracts for only $1.5 million (out of $8.7 million) for high protein milk for infants.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the killing by Western aircraft of an oil-for- food programme monitor. [77358]
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the basis is in international law for the concept of no-fly zones. [77354]
Mr. Fatchett:
The No Fly Zones were established in April 1991 and August 1992 in support of UN Security Council resolution 688 which called on Iraq to end its repression of the civilian population. The No Fly Zones are justified under international law in response to a situation of overwhelming humanitarian necessity.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has obtained on the categories of information exchanged between the US and UNSCOM. [77260]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 8 March 1999, Official Report, column 15, and the answer I gave him on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 181.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about possible external involvement in the murder of Ayatollah Muhammed Saddiq al-Sadr at Najaf. [77253]
Mr. Fatchett:
We have seen press reports that the Government of Iraq have blamed external forces for the murder of Ayatollah al-Sadr. But others, including credible Iraqi Shia sources, hold the Iraqi regime responsible for the assassination. The UN Special Rapporteur previously expressed his fears that such killings formed part of a systematic attack on the independent leadership of Shia muslims in Iraq. We urge the Iraqi authorities to conduct a full investigation into al-Sadr's death and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons (a) disinfectant and (b) coffins are included in UN sanctions on Iraq. [77328]
Mr. Fatchett:
Under the UN "oil for food" programme, Iraq is allowed to import goods for essential civilian needs, such as disinfectant and coffins.
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Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the supply of radiotherapy equipment, chemotherapy drugs and analgesics to Iraq has been blocked by British advisers. [77255]
Mr. Fatchett:
96 per cent. of the contracts submitted by Iraq to the Security Council under the UN "oil for food" programme have been approved. The majority of holds are put in place because paperwork is either incorrect or insufficient. The UK currently has holds on six contracts for medical supplies because the full details required by the UN have not been provided (and in one case because the contract is illegible). I can assure my hon. Friend that the equipment and drugs he specifies do not feature on any of these contracts.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the overseas trade services provided to companies in the last year to which figures are available together with the revenue received by his Department (a) by service and (b) by company. [77489]
Mr. Fatchett:
5,179 chargeable export services were performed for UK companies during financial year 1997-98 yielding a total of £1.23 million. This revenue accrues to the Department of Trade and Industry. These services fall into two main categories: Tailored Market Information, which can include basic market information, identification and assessment of potential agents/ distributors, market assessments for a company's product or service, advice on a company's market approach and general information on local investment opportunities; and Commercial Publicity Services. To provide a breakdown of the services provided to individual companies during this period would involve disproportionate cost.
Mr. Howard:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to encourage British business to enter into joint ventures and invest in Central Asia. [63546]
Clare Short:
An important element of the White Paper's objective of reducing global poverty, is socially responsible partnership with British Business. In Central Asia, we are hoping to work with British Gas. Through a special scheme, we have helped British companies investigate investment opportunities. Our main programmes of assistance in these countries necessarily focus on supporting their transition (to market economies and pluralist democracies) in an equitable and sustainable manner. To this end, in Central Asia we are working with governments to tackle agriculture and health reform, whilst at the same time also helping build civil society.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current status of the organisational development project with the Zimbabwe Republic police. [77247]
18 Mar 1999 : Column: 766
Clare Short:
The project was approved in December 1996. It aims to provide efficient and accountable police services to the people of Zimbabwe, especially the poor and disadvantaged. Recent reviews by the Department for International Development indicate that the project is making good progress and is likely to achieve its aim. The Zimbabwe Republic Police are already working more closely with local communities in the planning and delivery of improved police services.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she next plans to visit Nigeria. [76966]
Clare Short:
I have no firm plans to visit Nigeria but would aim to do so if a visit would help take forward a Nigerian programme to reduce poverty.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will meet Karol Sikora, Chief of the WHO Cancer Programme and Professor of International Cancer Medicine, to discuss the cancer situation in Iraq. [77256]
Mr. Foulkes:
The Department for International Development has not been asked to meet Karol Sikora, but my officials are in contact with WHO about the health care needs of Iraqi people, including cancer. Discussions are at an early stage, but we hope they will lead to a joint project.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will place a copy of the agreement made in February 1999 between her Department and the Organisation of African Unity in the Library. [77490]
Clare Short:
In February the Department for International Development entered into an agreement with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to provide initial support to their Conflict Management Centre as part of a longer term partnership approach to building OAU capacity in the area of conflict prevention and peace-building. This initiative is part of our conflict reduction strategy: specifically our aim to support the role of regional and sub regional organisations in conflict prevention.
We are providing USD 515,800, equivalent to approximately £320,000, over 20 months for human resource capacity building in the OAU Conflict Management Centre. Our contribution covers recruitment and salary costs for 4 advisers--i.e., one senior political officer and three regional desk officers--who will be contracted by the OAU for a period of 18 months. In addition, we are providing technical advice to assist in completion of the OAU Conflict Management Centre's Capacity Building Programme document which will be presented to OAU Member States and potential funding partners.
18 Mar 1999 : Column: 767
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