Iraq, Abandoned Mines and Looting, Response from the Council

Parliamentary Questions

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1809/03

Submission: Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(20 May 2003)

Subject: Iraq – A significant danger to the civilian population posed by abandoned mines and looting

Ε-1809/03

Answer

(17 November 2003)

The Council agrees with the honorable Member of Parliament that the issue of unexploded mines and other munitions poses a significant danger to the population in Iraq. The Council is well aware of the security situation in Iraq and the subsequent enormous difficulties faced by both the population and the occupying forces in the country, who at this time are responsible for the country’s security and the protection of its population. The European Council, in Thessaloniki, expressed its satisfaction with the improvement of the humanitarian situation but also its concern about the ongoing problems that continue to threaten the safety of the civilian population.

However, the Council has no reason to believe that the occupying forces are not complying with international agreements and obligations for the protection of the Iraqi people.