To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU partners in advance of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 and 28 January on the subject of Iraq, with particular reference to the formulation of a common position; and if he will make a statement. [93625]
[holding answer 28 January 2003]: I have had frequent discussions with my EU counterparts and other Foreign Minister colleagues on Iraq in the run-up and in the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27£28 January; I shall continue these contacts.EU Foreign Ministers were united on Iraq at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 January. We reaffirmed our view that UN Security Council resolution 1441 represents a final opportunity for Iraq to resolve the crisis peacefully. We urged Iraq to engage in full and active co-operation with the weapons inspectors and provide them, without delay, with all additional and complete information on questions raised by the international community. The question of an EU Common Position did not arise.The full conclusions of the Council on Iraq are as follows:
"The Council, deeply concerned about the situation in Iraq, reaffirms that its goal remains the effective and complete disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The Council fully supports the efforts of the UN to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq with all relevant resolutions of the Security Council, in particular with UNSCR 1441 of 8 November 2002. The resolution gives an unambiguous message that the Iraqi government has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully.
The Council therefore urges the Iraqi authorities to engage in full and active co-operation with UNMOVIC and IAEA. The Iraqi authorities must, as an imperative, provide the inspectors, without delay, with all additional and complete information on questions raised by the international community. The Council expresses its appreciation for the work accomplished by the inspectors so far and reiterates its confidence and full support for Dr. Blix and Dr. El Baradei to complete their mission in accordance with UNSCR 1441. It welcomes their intention to continue and intensify their operations.
The Council recalls that it stands ready to engage all necessary efforts to answer the needs of UNMOVIC and IAEA in personnel and practical means.
The Council underlines the fundamental importance of preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the relevant international instruments. The Security Council has a key role to play in these endeavours.
The Council reaffirms the role of the UNSC in the implementation of UNSCR 1441. The responsibility of the UNSC in maintaining international peace and security must be respected."
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers member states of the United Nations Security Council have to offer political immunity to Saddam Hussein in inviting him to go into exile. [93894]
The powers of the Security Council are set out in the Charter of the United Nations, Chapter VII of which provides that the Council shall decide what measures are to be taken to maintain or restore international peace and security.