Iraq. The UK has supplied no lethal items to either side since fighting
began and has certainly not supplied chemical weapons. The UK disposed of
its supply 25 years ago. This country has been in the forefront of
international efforts to ban the use and production of these dreadful
weapons. That was why in my statement of 6 March I condemned their use,
anywhere in the world.
33. The Government's policy is one of strict impartiality in the wasteful
and dangerous conflict between Iran and Iraq. A negotiated peace is what
is desperately needed. We do not at the moment see an independent role for
the UK in the process of mediation. But we shall remain active at the UN
and in coordination with the Ten. We shall continue to give full support
to the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross in their
humanitarian work in Iran and Iraq.
34. The activities of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative,
Mr Palme deserve special mention in this context. Their efforts have been
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