Letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs from the Chairman of the Committee
The Foreign Affairs Committee wishes to receive
answers to the following questions arising from the evidence session
on 30 March 2003:
1. The Committee notes your comments on
30 March about the handover of sovereignty in Iraq on 30 June
and the role of the UN as a means of "leverage", and
wishes to receive further details of how the United Kingdom will
seek to influence the Iraqi interim government following 1 July.
What degree of co-ordination will there be with the US?
2. The Committee would like to know what
the United Kingdom is doing to prevent terrorists from entering
Iraq across its porous borders. How far have Iraq's neighbours
co-operated in these efforts?
3. The Committee wishes to know what is
being done to prevent stockpiles of ammunition and weaponry from
falling into terrorist hands in Iraq.
4. The Committee notes your comments on
30 March about efforts to train the Iraqi police force and wishes
to know the number of Iraqi police who have completed their training,
are currently in training, and are expected to be trained. The
Committee would also like to receive details of the wastage rate
of trainees.
5. The Committee notes your comments on
30 March about the Iraqi Special Tribunal and wishes to know more
about the United Kingdom's involvement in it, with particular
reference to the death penalty.
6. The Committee notes your comments on
30 March about Iraqi detainees and wishes to know whether it is
anticipated that any detainees will remain in the custody of coalition
forces on 30 June.
7. The Committee would like to know whether
the United Kingdom believes that Israel's assassination of Hamas
leader Ahmed Yassin has hindered positive moves in the Arab world
towards peace.
8. The Committee would like to know if the
United Kingdom believes that a more active US role at this stage
could achieve progress on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
9. The Committee wishes to know if the UK
would regard a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as contributing
to a peaceful settlement with the Palestinians.
10. The Committee would like to know what
the UK is doing to allay concerns, both among Palestinians and
in neighbouring countries, that Israel's unilateral withdrawal
from areas of occupied territories will lead to a de facto
annexation of Palestinian land.
11. The Committee wishes to know if the
Palestinian Authority is taking steps to fight terrorism, and
if it is, what are they?
12. The Committee wishes to know what the
United Kingdom is doing to achieve reform in the Arab world. What
progress has been made and what progress is expected this year?
13. The Committee would like to know if
the United Kingdom believes that there is a real understanding
among Arab governments of the need for both political and economic
reform.
14. The Committee would like to know if
the United Kingdom is satisfied with the measures Pakistan has
taken to prevent further proliferation and if full co-operation
has been obtained in this field.
15. The Committee wishes to know what kind
of international restraints the United Kingdom believes should
be put in place to prevent further proliferation.
16. The Committee wishes to know whether
the United Kingdom believes that Iran's declaration to the IAEA
was complete. Is Iran continuing to conduct Uranium enrichment?
I hope you will be able to reply by 29 April.
We look forward to renewed discussion on 5 May.
Rt Hon Donald Anderson MP
Chairman of the Committee
1 April 2004
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