Our decision to take part in military action to enforce Iraq’s disarmament obligations, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, was a last resort. The regime’s refusal to cooperate left us with no option. The threat from the regime was real and growing; and, if we had not taken this action, the regime would have been left hugely strengthened. Military action to enforce Iraqi compliance is in full accordance with international law.
We share your concerns about the humanitarian situation in Iraq. Saddam Hussein ran a vile regime. Many of the problems the Iraqis face come from the regime’s years of neglect and oppression, rather than the short period of coalition military action. Sanctions could have been lifted at any time if the regime had complied with its obligations under UN resolutions. Under the oil for food programme there was no need for the people to want, except for the regime’s callous decision to deny them relief for propaganda purposes.
We welcome the unanimous adoption of the new oil for food programme rollover resolution on 28 March. We hope the changes made will lead to an early and ongoing improvement of the humanitarian situation in Iraq.
While taking military action, we have gone to great lengths to minimise civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including water, electricity and sanitation facilities.
Coalition forces are providing humanitarian assistance in the areas they occupy, in line with the Geneva Convention and the Hague Regulations. UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will move in, as soon areas of Iraq are declared safe.
UK forces in Basra are supplying food and water through aid distribution points established on the outskirts of the city. Power in Basra has been restored and is in better shape than before the conflict. Schools are re-opening in certain parts of northern Iraq.
The Government has earmarked £240m for humanitarian work, including up to £30 million for our forces, to enable them to meet immediate needs until civilian agencies are able to do this. Of the funds allocated for humanitarian assistance, DFID has committed £115m to support work by humanitarian agencies in the current crisis and has set aside £95m to support humanitarian needs.
The field hospital outside Basra has 200 beds and is giving medical support, including major surgery on Iraqi civilians, soldiers and prisoners of war, as well as our own people.
Now that Saddam Hussein and his regime are removed from power, we are working for an Iraq where there is respect for human rights and the rule of law, where all Iraqis have the opportunity to share in the country’s wealth, at peace with its neighbours and playing a full role in the international community.
We also want to see the earliest possible lifting of sanctions and to ensure that oil revenues are used for the benefit of the people of Iraq.
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