Letter to the Parliamentary Relations
and Devolution Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from
the Clerk of the Committee, 28 October 2004
At its last meeting, the Committee discussed
the Government's Response to its Seventh Report of Session 2003-04,
Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism, Command
Paper 6340. It subsequently instructed me to write and seek further
information on a number of points.
1. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
26, the Committee wishes to receive a complete list of the states
contributing to the Multi-National Force in Iraq, including the
number of troops provided by each. It also wishes to receive details
of what steps are being taken to broaden this group of countries,
in particular to include Islamic states.
2. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
85, the Committee wishes to receive details of how many waivers
of immunity from Iraqi legal process have been issued under CPA
Order Number 17.
3. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
141, the Committee wishes to receive clarification on the Government's
response, in particular its comment: "The two PoWs for whom
the UK had been the detaining power prior to 28 June remained
in US custody until their transfer to the Central Criminal Court
of Iraq." When were the two PoWs transferred to US custody?
Have they now been transferred to the Central Criminal Court of
Iraq?
4. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
157, the Committee notes that the need to ensure that there is
a sufficient body of expertise in the United Kingdom to enable
better communication with the Arab and Islamic world is a matter
of urgency. The Committee wishes to receive a progress report
on what the Government is doing on this matter.
5. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
180, the Committee wishes to receive details of what resources
the international community is setting aside for the parliamentary
elections in Afghanistan and which countries have failed to disburse
money pledged for the presidential election.
6. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
232, the Committee wishes to receive details of which countries
have promised equipment and troops to NATO's commitment to Afghanistan,
and of any outstanding requirements.
7. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
276, the Committee wishes to receive a note on the implications
of the decision of the Pakistan parliament to allow President
Musharraf to remain head of the army for the process of democratisation
in Pakistan and for Pakistan's participation in the Commonwealth.
8. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
326, the Committee wishes to receive further details on how the
United Kingdom is working with the Russian Federation to deal
with the nuclear proliferation threat posed by Iran.
9. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
330, the Committee wishes to receive an updated account of what
the FCO is doing to dismantle the Russian Federation's WMD surplus.
10. Further to the recommendation in paragraph
395, the Committee wishes to receive a note on what precise steps
the United Kingdom is taking or considering taking in relation
to Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza.
A response not later than 17 November would
be appreciated.
Steve Priestley
Clerk of the Committee
28 October 2004
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