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25 July 2006 : Column 1260W—continued
Margaret Beckett: All sides are responsible for crimes in Darfur. The UK has taken a lead in supporting sanctions for Sudan. We co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1591 which allowed the Security Council to impose sanctions on anyone who impedes the peace process in Darfur. We also co-sponsored UNSCR 1672, adopted on 25 April this year, imposing targeted sanctions on four individuals from all sides to the conflict. This sends a clear message that the Security Council will not tolerate violations of human rights or other such actions in Darfur.
Iran
17. Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Iran about support for Hezbollah; and if she will make a statement. [87885]
Dr. Howells: On 21 July officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office met the Iranian Ambassador in London. During their discussions they repeated our call for Iran, and Syria, to stop their support for Hezbollah and end their interference in Lebanese internal affairs in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1680. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not herself discussed this with Iran.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of which countries supply dual-use technology to Iran; and if he will make a statement. [68203]
Margaret Beckett: Many types of equipment and technology can have more than one use. Many countries, including the UK and other EU member states, make provision for licensing the export of dual use goods to Iran where this would not raise significant proliferation or other concerns. We work through the multilateral export control regimes and through bilateral contacts to ensure as many countries as possible apply close scrutiny to all such exports in order to ensure compliance with the obligations undertaken under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
UK exports are subject to the Export Control Act, 2002. Details of all dual-use exports from the UK can be found in the Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at: www.fco.gov.uk.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her latest assessment is of the threat posed to regional security by Iran's nuclear programme. [80280]
Mr. Hoon [holding answer 28 June 2006]: The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East would pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability, as well as to the multilateral non-proliferation regime.
We remain deeply concerned about the intentions of Iran's nuclear programme. Iran is continuing uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, which
will enable it to develop the know-how to produce fissile material that could be used in nuclear weapons. Moreover, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Dr Mohammed El-Baradei, has described in his most recent reports, Iran is not co-operating fully with the IAEA and many important issues concerning its programme remain to be resolved to the IAEA's satisfaction.
We urge Iran to respond positively to the proposals presented by EU high representative, Javier Solana, on 6 June and to take steps necessary to create confidence that the intentions of its nuclear programme are solely peaceful, including suspending fully all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK is taking towards ensuring that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons; and if she will make a statement. [80281]
Mr. Hoon [holding answer 28 June 2006]: We remain deeply concerned that Iran is continuing uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, which will enable it to develop the know- how to produce fissile material suitable for use in nuclear weapons, despite the requirement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors and the UN Security Council that these activities should be suspended.
On 6 June, Javier Solana, EU High Representative, presented new proposals on behalf of China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US. These offer a way forward that would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry, as well as political and economic benefits, while meeting international concerns. For talks to resume, Iran must reinstate the full suspension deemed essential by the IAEA Board; we would also suspend action in the Security Council.
We are disappointed that Iran has not so far engaged seriously with these proposals, nor reinstated the suspension. We therefore have no choice but to return to the UN Security Council and seek a resolution that will make the suspension mandatory.
Our proposals remain on the table. We continue to urge Iran to take the positive path that is on offer.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on Iran's referral to the Security Council. [87897]
Dr. Howells: On 29 March, the President of the Security Council issued a statement agreed by consensus. This called on Iran to co-operate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and take the steps identified as essential by the IAEA Board of Governors, including reinstating a full suspension of all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities.
We are deeply concerned that, nearly four months later, Iran is still not co-operating fully with the IAEA, and has continued and expanded its enrichment
activities. Nor has Iran responded positively to the proposals made by the UK, with China, France, Germany, Russia and the US (the ‘E3+3’) which would enable talks to resume on a long-term solution.
In these circumstances, the E3+3 have decided that there is no choice but to return to the Security Council and seek a Resolution making the suspension mandatory on Iran. Should Iran refuse to comply, we will work for the adoption of measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
We continue to urge Iran to respond positively to the E3+3 proposals. If Iran reinstates a full suspension of enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, as required by the IAEA Board, we are prepared to suspend further action in the Security Council.
Lebanon
19. Mr. Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Lebanon about the current Israeli attacks and incursions into Lebanon. [87887]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been in contact with his Lebanese counterpart to offer support. As he told the House on 18 July
“I have spoken to the Prime Minister of Lebanon. I think Lebanon is looking for international help...I believe the Prime Minister of Lebanon wants to do the right thing. The people around him are desperate for some stability in their country and they feel very angry that they are caught in the present situation”. [Official Report, 18th July 2006, c. 168]
I also held discussions with Prime Minister Siniora during my recent visit to the region. Our ambassador in Beirut remains in regular contact with the Lebanese Government.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her latest assessment is of the situation in Israel and Lebanon. [87896]
Mr. Hoon: We are gravely concerned by the crisis in Lebanon. It is causing great harm to the civilian populations on both sides and threatens the wider security of the region. We are seriously concerned by the numbers of deaths, casualties and displaced persons that have been caused as a result of this conflict. We continue to appeal to both sides to act with utmost restraint.
As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said, this conflict is most easily ended by the undoing of what started it: Hizbollah should hand back the kidnapped Israeli soldiers immediately and stop targeting Israeli towns and cities.
Syrian and Iranian support for Hizbollah and other extremist groups is encouraging extremism, threatening the stability of the region, and putting peace in the Middle East further out of reach. We call on Syria and Iran to stop their support for Hizbollah and end their interference in Lebanese internal affairs in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1680.
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between her Department and the Israeli authorities since the invasion of Lebanon. [88387]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister Olmert on 18 July. On 25 June, 6, 13 and 18 July my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Livni. On 18 July she also spoke to the Israeli ambassador, Zvi Heifetz. During my visit to the region on 22-24 July, I spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Livni.
Our embassy in Tel Aviv have been in regular contact with the Israeli authorities since 12 July. On 12 July we lobbied the Israeli Government to open Kerem Shalom for humanitarian assistance and people to re-enter Gaza.
Our British ambassador in Tel Aviv has been in constant contact with the Israeli authorities since 12 July, speaking to, among others, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Adviser, the Israeli Foreign Minister, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, and the Israeli Tourism Minister—who is a member of the Israeli security cabinet. He raised our concerns about civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and called for proportionality and restraint.
The Defence Section at our British embassy in Tel Aviv has been in contact throughout the last two weeks with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in order to facilitate the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon. The Defence Section have also received briefings from the IDF and raised on a number of occasions our concerns regarding proportionality and civilian casualties.
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions her Department has taken to seek an end to Israeli military action in (a) Gaza and (b) Lebanon. [88388]
Dr. Howells: We are working closely with international partners in the region, the UN, EU and G8, towards a ceasefire. Both my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have been in regular contact with their counterparts in the region. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to the Lebanese Prime Minister on 13 July and to Israeli Prime Minister Olmert on 18 July. On 25 June, and on 6, 13 and 18 July my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Livni. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also spoke to Palestinian President Abbas on 25 June and 6 July. During my visit to the region on 22 July, I met with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora, Foreign Minister Salloukh and others. On 22 July I met Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Livni to raise our concerns.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) (UIN 89157).
Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will call for an immediate ceasefire of Israeli attacks on Lebanon. [88547]
Dr. Howells: We are working urgently with international partners towards a ceasefire. But it is crucial that any ceasefire is durable.
As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said,
“this conflict is most easily ended by the undoing of what started it: Hezbollah should hand back the kidnapped Israeli soldiers immediately.”
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what date the Foreign Office expects to evacuate all British citizens from Lebanon who wish to leave the country. [88827]
Dr. Howells: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff coordinated with the Ministry of Defence the evacuation of some 4,600 people from Lebanon. Around half of these were flown on to the UK at their request; others have gone on to other destinations. This evacuation was widely publicised in Lebanon at the time; the last scheduled UK departure was 22 July, because the British embassy in Beirut and all of those involved in evacuating British nationals judged that the numbers wishing to leave had shrunk almost to nothing.
Those British passport holders in Lebanon who did not leave during the evacuation, but who now wish to do so, should contact the embassy in Beirut, or the FCO, for up-to-the-minute information. Full details are set out in the FCO Travel Advice for Lebanon, on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage &c==Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountry Advice&aid=1013618386118.
Gaza
21. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Quartet group has had on Israel’s military incursions in Gaza. [87889]
Dr. Howells: Although the Quartet has not met formally to discuss the current situation in the Middle East, members have remained in regular contact. Most recently, Quartet members attended the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg on 16 July arid EU Foreign Ministers met in Brussels on 17 July. All Quartet members remain actively engaged to resolve the situation.
Iraq
23. Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the political situation in Iraq. [87891]
Dr. Howells:
The recent increase in violence in Iraq is of great concern. We need to see a halt to the round of revenge killings. Successfully tackling the issues driving the violence requires sustained commitment and strong leadership from the Iraqi Government and key political
and community leaders. The Prime Minister discussed this with Iraqi Prime Minister during his visit here on 24 July. We are giving his Government our full support.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 13 July 2005, Official Report, column 1122W, on Iraq, if he will place the written material prepared by oil advisers seconded by the Government to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq in the Library. [66779]
Mr. Hoon: These documents have been placed in the Library of the House and I will arrange for copies to be sent to my hon. Friend.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 5 June 2006, Official Report, columns 327-8W, on Iraq, what form local government takes in each governorate; what powers it has; what responsibility it takes for local reconstruction; what role it has in the delivery of security; and what assessment the Government have made of its democratic accountability. [85599]
Margaret Beckett: Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Order 71 sets out the composition and powers delegated to local government. Copies of this are available at the following website at:
http://cpa-iraq.org/regulations/20040406_CPAORD_71 _Local_Governmental_Powers_.pdf.
I will also arrange for a copy of CPA Order 71 to be placed in the Library of the House and for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member.
This order was designed to improve delivery of public services by appropriately empowering government bodies at governorate, municipal and local levels. Each governorate may:
raise revenue from taxes;
plan/implement investment projects approved by the Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committee (including in partnership with international or non- governmental organisations); and
carry out other activities that are not exclusively reserved for central government (i.e. foreign policy, national security policy and fiscal and monetary policies).
Governorates are also responsible for overseeing the quality and timeliness of projects carried out by the Technical Directorates or relevant Ministries.
National Security is a central government responsibility. At the provincial level the Iraqi police force, headed by a Chief of police, is responsible for maintaining law and order. Given the current security situation, the Iraqi army supported by multi- national forces also retains responsibility for security. Ultimately this will be handed over to the Iraqi authorities. The Iraqi police force reports to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. The Iraqi army reports to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence.
Local government currently consists of 18 Governorate Councils (GC), each with 41 members, and a Baghdad GC, with 51 members. These were elected in the January 2005 national elections.
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