Letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs from the Chairman of the Committee
The Committee has asked me to write to you about
the crisis in the Middle East. The Committee would like to receive
answers to the following questions:
What is HMG's view on what breaches of international
law have been committed by both Israel and Hezbollah with regard
to distinguishing between civilians and military personnel, humanitarian
concerns, proportionality and collective punishment?
What sort of international force does HMG envisage
for Lebanon, in terms of makeup, mandate and rules of engagement,
and what contribution would the United Kingdom be able to make?
What preconditions would HMG consider necessary
for the deployment of an international force to Lebanon?
Why has HMG chosen not to support international
calls for an immediate ceasefire? What assessment has HMG made
of the implications of this policy for Iran's determination to
pursue its nuclear programme?
What are HMG's expectations of aid requirements
in Lebanon, and what contribution will be made by the United Kingdom?
Why did the evacuation of British citizens from
Lebanon not begin sooner?
How many British citizens have been evacuated
from Lebanon (a) by the United Kingdom and (b) by other countries,
and how were they prioritised? How many citizens of other countries
were evacuated by the United Kingdom?
Is the Government satisfied with the assistance
it received from Israel with facilitating the evacuation of British
citizens from Lebanon?
I hope you will be able to respond to this letter
not later than 4 September.
Mike Gapes MP
Chairman of the Committee
25 July 2006
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