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5 Jun 2006 : Column 325W—continued
“the Agency’s inspector presence in the Islamic Republic of Iran for the verification activities should be scheduled only on the basis of the Safeguards Agreement”
“all the Agency’s containment and surveillance measures which were in place beyond the normal Agency safeguards measures should be removed by mid February 2006.”
The international community has made clear that it regards implementation of the provisions of the Additional Protocol by Iran as one of the confidence building measures deemed necessary by the Board for Iran to implement in order to resolve outstanding questions and build confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the proposal by Dr. El Baradei for the application of the North Korean model of security guarantees and energy aid to negotiations with Iran to encourage an end to enrichment and acceptance of tougher inspections. [73978]
Dr. Howells: When Javier Solana, High Representative for European Common Foreign and Security Policy, and the Foreign Ministers of UK, France, Germany, US, Russia and China, the E3 plus 3, met in New York on 8 May we agreed on a twin-track strategy, whereby we should present Iran with a choice, between the benefits that would flow from co-operating with the international community, or the isolation and costs that would follow an Iranian decision not to respond to the well-known requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors and the UN Security Council. Officials, including at a meeting of E3 plus political directors in London on 25 May, have been making good progress on both elements of this strategy. These are complex, sensitive diplomatic negotiations and it would be inappropriate to comment on what might be included in either element.
Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Iranian authorities concerning reported proposed legislation on dress codes based on religion. [74412]
Dr. Howells: On 14 May the Iranian Parliament approved the outline of a draft Bill on an Islamic dress code. The draft Bill set out regulations for the import of clothing and future Government support for Iranian clothing producers.
Canadian media reporting initially claimed that the draft Bill included a reference to religious minorities having to wear identifying signs or colours but there is no mention of this in the draft Bill. The Iranian embassy in London refuted these media reports and the Canadian newspaper in question issued an apology for its inaccurate reporting.
Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK's policy is on the imposition of sanctions against Iran in the absence of agreement in the UN Security Council. [73977]
Dr. Howells: The United Nations Security Council has demonstrated its concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions in its Presidential Statement of 29 March, which was adopted by consensus. The full text of the statement is available on the UN website at:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8679.doc.htm
We are currently discussing next steps with international partners. We hope that Iran will respond to the requirements of the international community, as set out in repeated International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board Resolutions and the Security Council's Presidential Statement. If it does not, then we anticipate that the Security Council will take the necessary action designed to ensure that Iran meets in full the requirements of the IAEA Board and the Security Council, including reinstating a full suspension of all enrichment related and reprocessing activities, and returns to a negotiation on long-term arrangements.
Iraq
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of civilians killed in (a) Al Basrah, (b) Al Muthanna, (c) Dhi Qar and (d) Maysan province in Iraq in (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) March and (iv) April 2006. [70935]
Margaret Beckett: The Iraqi Government are best placed to monitor the deaths of civilians inside Iraq. The Government do not collect figures for civilian casualties in Iraq. Both the Iraqi Ministries of Interior and Health published figures last year as part of an ongoing collection of statistics on Iraqi casualties. There is no 100 per cent. reliable and accurate assessment of casualties in Iraq in 2006. Estimates of the numbers of civilian deaths vary according to the methods used. We continue to press the Iraqi Government to release the most up-to-date figures.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the (a) independence and fairness of the judiciary and (b) the application of the rule of law in (i) Al Basrah, (ii) Al Muthanna, (iii) Dhi Qar and (iv) Maysan province in Iraq. [70938]
Margaret Beckett: The judiciary in Iraq is independent of government and there is an operational court system that includes a formal appeal process. The courts throughout Iraq apply the rule of law. We are working with the Iraqi authorities to help increase the capacity of the rule of law sector, for example in providing training for Iraqi judges in international law.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the extent of corruption by local officials in (a) Al Basrah, (b) Al Muthanna, (c) Dhi Qar and (d) Maysan Province in Iraq. [70939]
Margaret Beckett: We do not systematically collect province-by-province information on the extent of corruption of local officials in Iraq.
We are working to increase institutional capacity, transparency and accountability in the four southern provinces. The Department for International Development (DFID) has in place a £20.5 million project to build the capacity and effectiveness of the southern Provincial Governorates. This has provided
support for, among other things, establishing Provincial Committees for Reconstruction and Development in all four provinces and building up the financial management and budgeting capacity of provincial institutions. DFID also has in place a £6.7 million project to strengthen independent broadcast media in the south, helping to hold the local government to account.
The UK, alongside the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other donors, continues to work with the Iraqi Government to improve accountability and transparency in Iraq’s public finances. This includes efforts to encourage Iraq to adopt international legal frameworks and standards in resource management, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. This is a set of principles designed to ensure that the revenues from extractive industries such as oil are transparently managed and contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction. For further information, the hon. Member can visit the following website: www.eitransparency.org.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the establishment of provincial and local government in (a) Al Basrah, (b) Al Muthanna, (c) Dhi Qar and (d) Maysan Province in Iraq. [70942]
Margaret Beckett: Local governments are well established in the 18 governorates of Iraq including Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan Province. They are empowered to set priorities for the provinces to improve the delivery of public services and are funded from national budget allocations.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the establishment of the Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility in Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [70965]
Margaret Beckett: The Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility from Multi-National Forces in Iraq (MNF-I) to the Iraqi civilian authorities was established by the then Iraqi Prime Minister Jafa’ari in July 2005. Membership includes Iraq’s Interior and Defence Ministers, the National Security Adviser, the US and UK Ambassadors, the Commander of the MNF-I and the Deputy Commanding General.
Its remit is to describe the conditions required for a transfer of security responsibilities, at the provincial level, to Iraqi civilian control. These conditions are based on four broad categories: an assessment of the terrorist threat level; Iraqi Security Forces’ ability to take on the security task; the capacity of provincial bodies to cope with the changed security environment; and the posture and support available from MNF-I.
As my right hon. Friend the then Defence Secretary informed the House on 13 March 2006, Official Report, columns 1151-53, the Joint Committee has begun the assessment phase to determine whether conditions have been met for some provinces in Iraq to begin the handover process. This will be taken forward with the new Government. In due course, we expect the Committee to make recommendations to the new Iraqi
Prime Minister on which provinces or provincial capitals are ready for a transfer in security responsibilities.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what milestones have been set out for (a) police and (b) military reform in (i) Al Basrah,(ii) Al Muthanna, (iii) Dhi Qar and (iv) Maysan provinces in Iraq; and what progress has been achieved. [71047]
Margaret Beckett: Milestones have been set in five areas against which progress in the reform of the Iraqi police service can be measured:
Numbers trained, Police support infrastructure, Intelligence capability, Operational capability and Public support.
The following table outlines progress to date against the above benchmarks in Muthanna, Maysan and Basra. Responsibility for policing in Dhi Qar lies with the Italian contingent.
Military reform in Iraq is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. I will ask him to write to the hon. Member separately on this matter.
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding the Assyrian community in Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [74541]
Dr. Howells: We maintain regular contact with representatives from the Chaldo-Assyrian community in Baghdad and their representatives in the UK.
The Government remain committed to supporting the Iraqi authorities' efforts to promote inclusive,
representative politics. The establishment of a genuine government of national unity is a positive step forward in this regard.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on links her Department will have with the new Iraqi Government. [74159]
Dr. Howells: We welcome the formation of the new Iraqi Government as a major step in Iraq's transition towards full democracy.
The Government remain committed to supporting the Iraqi authorities' efforts to build security and uphold the rule of law, promote inclusive, representative politics and secure sustainable economic growth.
We will continue to conduct the bulk of our relations with Iraq through our diplomatic posts in Iraq.
Israel
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the detention of Kate Maynard, a solicitor at the Islington firm of Hickman and Rose, by Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion airport. [75146]
Dr. Howells: On 24 May 2006, Kate (Catherine) Maynard was detained by immigration officials at Ben Gurion airport, questioned and subsequently refused entry into Israel. She would have been subject to deportation. Ms Maynard contacted our consul from our embassy in Tel Aviv, who then contacted the immigration desk at the airport to establish what was happening and to register our interest in her case. Our consul confirmed with Ms Maynard that she was being treated well and asked if there was anyone he could contact on her behalf.
Ms Maynard filed an appeal against her refusal and deportation. On the morning of 25 May 2006, a judge initially ruled that Ms Maynard be allowed into Israel to attend a conference, but that she should leave by 28 May. The judge later amended his original decision, choosing instead to issue a recommendation advising the Interior Ministry to allow Ms Maynard to enter the country until 28 May. The Interior Ministry declined the judge’s suggestion. Ms Maynard was told she could take the matter to another judge, but Ms Maynard chose instead to return to the UK and departed on the evening of 25 May.
Consular officials were in contact with Ms Maynard throughout her detention. They offered her assistance and were also in touch with her colleagues in London. Decisions on who can enter Israel are for the Government of Israel, but we try to ensure all British citizens are treated appropriately.
Kyrgyzstan
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will list the (a) dates and (b) duration of each visit of the UK ambassador to Kyrgyzstan since 1 January 2005. [74571]
Mr. Hoon: Our ambassador accredited to Kyrgyzstan is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Since 1 January 2005, he has visited Kyrgyzstan on 10 occasions—six times in 2005: 24-26 January, 24-25 March, 12-13 April, 6-8 June, 28-30 September and 28-29 November; and four times in 2006: 26-27 January, 14-16 February, 23-25 April and 22-24 May.
In addition to these visits, the Deputy Head of Mission has been to Kyrgyzstan on nine occasions during this period. Other members of the embassy team, including the Defence Attaché, have also visited on numerous occasions.
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