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| Iraq |
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| I have recently receieved a briefing note from the Department for International Development (DFID) setting out details of DFID’s contribution to humanitarian relief and the reconstruction of Iraq. |
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| Frankly, the documents do not convince me that enough is being done by the Government. This is a matter that must concern us all. I am afraid that it looks very chaotic. The advanced planning to supply the basics of life – water, electricity, sanitation, communications – has proved to be inadequate in my view. |
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| I believe that it is essential that the Iraqi people should have real ownership of the process of relief and reconstruction. Substantial humanitarian and financial assistance from the international community is essential but this should not be imposed against the wishes of Iraq. The UN should be given a bigger role in delivering relief. And why not let the UN Inspectors back in to search for the weapons of mass destruction that the UN Resolutions identified as unaccounted for? |
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| Let me assure you that I and my Opposition colleagues will continue to do all we can to ensure that humanitarian relief and reconstruction proceeds as rapidly as possible. |
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