Letter to the Parliamentary Relations
and Devolution Team, Foreign and Commonwealth Office from the
Clerk of the Committee, 26 January 2005
As you know, the Committee will be hearing oral
evidence from the Secretary of State on Tuesday 22 February as
part of its ongoing inquiry into foreign policy aspects of the
war against terrorism.
It would be helpful if, in preparing for that
session, the Committee could receive a memorandum or series of
memoranda of evidence, covering the following points, most of
which arise from the Committee's previous Reports and the FCO
responses thereto, or relate to forthcoming visits.
IRAQ
The Committee would like a report on the post-election
political situation in Iraq, nationally and regionally.
The Committee wishes to receive an update on
the present security situation in Iraq, including information
on the current strength and capability of Iraqi security forces;
their projected strength; the timetable for handing over to them
responsibility for security in Iraq; and protection for UK nationals
and for UN staff in Iraq.
The Committee seeks a note on the progress of
the inquiries into allegations of corruption in the Oil-for-Food
programme and on any involvement by UK nationals or entities.
LIBYA
The Committee wishes to receive a full note
on Libya's role in the war against terrorism and its dismantling
of WMD programmes, with additional information on the United Kingdom's
bilateral relations with Libya, including measures to help improve
the human rights situation in Libya and to facilitate prison reform
and a note on the UK's policy towards proposals for immigration
centres in Libya and EU co-operation with Libya on the immigration
issue.
ALGERIA
The Committee wishes to receive a full note
on Algeria's role in the war against terrorism, with additional
information on the United Kingdom's bilateral relations with Algeria,
including measures to help improve the human rights situation
in Algeria and to assist reform of the police and prison system.
MOROCCO
The Committee wishes to receive a full note
on Morocco's role in the war against terrorism, with additional
information on the United Kingdom's bilateral relations with Morocco,
including measures to assist economic development in Morocco,
both bilaterally and through the EU.
ISRAEL/PALESTINE
The Committee wishes to receive a note on the
prospects for the forthcoming London conference and an update
on the peace process more generally, with a description of any
assistance the UK is giving to facilitate Israel's withdrawal
from Gaza and the Palestinian Authority's assumption of power
there.
COUNTER-PROLIFERATION
The Committee wishes to know what work the United
Kingdom is undertaking, either bilaterally or through the G8's
global partnership, to help retrain Iraqi and Libyan scientists.
The Committee also seeks a note on the United
Kingdom's goals for the forthcoming review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty.
I would be grateful for a response on the above
points not later than 16 February, so that the Committee may take
account of it in preparing for the oral evidence session.
Steve Priestley
Clerk of the Committee
26 January 2005
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