Iraq  Many Canadians are deeply concerned that the United States is planning a military strike on Iraq, a strike that will only further hurt the Iraqi people, especially children already devastated by the impact of sanctions. Does the minister agree with his colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who said recently that we must maintain the integrity of the UN system in this case?

Iraq  One thing this government wants to see is a peaceful solution in the said matter. We want to see a diplomatic resolution so that Iraq complies with the UN security council resolution. We are resolved to see that happen.

Iraq  In light of these recent events has the minister changed his position? Will he let Canada support an armed intervention in Iraq that will not be under the UN flag?

Iraq  I sent him a letter concerning the situation in the Gulf and the possibility of an armed conflict with Iraq, among other things. It is quite possible that Canada will find itself in a war situation before very long. I would like to know whether the Prime Minister intends to make a statement in the House of Commons informing the Canadian people of his government's position on this conflict.

Iraq  As I told the press last Friday, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. We spoke about a number of things. We discussed the situation in Iraq, and I told him that the government's position, as the leader of the Conservative Party has said himself, is that we wish to see a diplomatic solution. The Russians and the French are actively involved in this at the moment.

Criminal Code  Speaker, on November 18 I rose in the House to ask a question of the government about the $1 billion deal which was being proposed with the Iraqi government. This deal was proposed by Mr. Zed, who had gone to Iraq and supposedly signed a deal at a time when we were at a very critical point in dealing with Iraq. It was refusing people access to various sites in the country. It was a time when the United Nations was proposing other action.

Iraq  Speaker, the hon. member knows that the security council has once again confirmed the activity of resolution 986 which allows the Iraqi government to trade oil for foodstuffs and other humanitarian services for women and children. Frankly, the problem in Iraq is Saddam Hussein, who refuses to deal properly, who does not want to deal under that program of exchange. If he wanted to get money to women and children, he could do so rather than expanding on biological weapons or his military base.

Iraq  But I would like the Deputy Prime Minister to tell us whether he agrees with the more radical approach of armed intervention advocated by the United States or supports finding a peaceful solution, such as increased economic sanctions against Iraq?

Iraq  Speaker, at this point, according to my sources, the issue of an armed intervention is hypothetical. We have joined with the other UN countries in demanding that Iraq allow the inspectors back into the country to carry out their work according to the UN resolutions.

Foreign Affairs  Speaker, the hon. member completely misstates the government's position. The government has never said that it supports Iraq's development of biological weapons. It totally rejects that. It stands firm with the other countries of the UN in saying that Iraq must back down and accept UN inspection without reservation.

Foreign Affairs  Speaker, the Reform Party objects to that because it completely sends the wrong signal to our allies. That is what we are talking about right now. Any business deal with Iraq, even under the name of so-called non-military business, undermines any allied action. The UN weapons inspectors must have full access in Iraq and Saddam's bullying must end, but our government is actually helping Saddam's image and harming our allied cause.

Iraq  Mr. Speaker, Saddam Hussein is asking Canada to drop trade sanctions against Iraq. The minister has two choices. He can go with France and Russia and drop the sanctions, or he can go with the U.S. and stick with the sanctions. Does the minister have a position, or is he going to waffle like this government does on most issues?

Iraq  Speaker, the fact is that we stand four square behind the United Nations' decision to have sanctions against Iraq.

Iraq  Speaker, we supported the UN resolution, and right now the UN must examine the resolutions concerning Iraq to ensure that the principles of the resolution are honoured by Iraq. Subsequently, I would certainly be glad to continue to support the resolution on humanitarian aid for Iraq.

Supply  The Bloc Quebecois has always hoped that the current conflict in the Balkans could be resolved under the aegis of the United Nations, as was Iraq's aggression against Kuwait, in 1991. Unfortunately, the close historical ties between Russia and Serbia, like the special relationship Yugoslavia maintains with China, has made the diplomatic route increasingly difficult.