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No 'option' but to remove Saddam No 'option' but to remove Saddam
(about 1 hour later)
A senior Labour MP has said she felt there was "no other option" to remove Saddam Hussein by force to put a stop to years of persecution by his regime. A senior Labour MP has said she felt there was "no other option" but to remove Saddam Hussein by force to end years of persecution by his regime.
Ann Clwyd, UK Special Envoy on Human Rights in Iraq since 2003, said she had not "wanted" war as as she felt the Iraqi people had "suffered enough". Ann Clwyd, UK Special Envoy on Human Rights in Iraq since 2003, said she had not "wanted" war as she felt the Iraqi people had "suffered enough".
But she told the Iraq inquiry the Kurdish people believed it was the only way to end human rights abuses. She told the Iraq inquiry the Kurdish people believed it was the only way to end human rights abuses.
But she acknowledged progress in human rights since the war had been "slow".But she acknowledged progress in human rights since the war had been "slow".
'Years of abuse''Years of abuse'
In particular, she said she was still concerned about levels of violence against women and the increase in honour killings.In particular, she said she was still concerned about levels of violence against women and the increase in honour killings.
Former prime minister Tony Blair appointed Ms Clwyd as special envoy to Iraq on human rights two months after the invasion.Former prime minister Tony Blair appointed Ms Clwyd as special envoy to Iraq on human rights two months after the invasion.
Ms Clwyd is chairman of Indict, a body that since 1996 had been pushing for a international tribunal to put senior figures in Saddam's regime on trial for crimes against humanity. Ms Clwyd is chairman of Indict, a body which since 1996 was pushing for an international tribunal to put senior figures in Saddam's regime on trial for crimes against humanity.
Appearing before the Chilcot inquiry, she documented what she said was "35 years of abuse" against the Iraqi people prior to the 2003 invasion, particularly against the Kurdish and Shia populations.Appearing before the Chilcot inquiry, she documented what she said was "35 years of abuse" against the Iraqi people prior to the 2003 invasion, particularly against the Kurdish and Shia populations.
She said there had been a "very violent suppression" of these groups following an attempted uprising in 1991 and that she was angry that the UN took such a "passive" approach to this at the time. I felt myself there was no other option. I didn't feel that I could go back and face the Kurds and say that I'd argue any other way Ann Clwyd on the case for military action class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8495044.stm">Vietnam 'affected' Iraq planning
She said there had been a "very violent suppression" of these groups following an attempted uprising in 1991 and she was angry that the UN took such a "passive" approach to this at the time.
She said she had been persuaded that military action was necessary during a visit to Kurdistan, in the north of Iraq, in February 2003.She said she had been persuaded that military action was necessary during a visit to Kurdistan, in the north of Iraq, in February 2003.
While the Kurds had never told her before that they backed a foreign invasion, they told her then that it was the only course as they feared the regime would use chemical weapons against them again. While the Kurds had never told her before that they backed a foreign invasion, they told her then that it was the only course as they feared the regime would use chemical weapons against them again and were fleeing from populated areas.
"They had tried to overthrow him, Saddam's regime, themselves but never had anybody said we want a war," she said.
"But this time they said to me there is no other way. And that's the first time I ever heard the Kurds, in a very long association with them, say that... So I felt myself there was no other option. I didn't feel that I could go back and face the Kurds and say that I'd argue any other way."
She said she believed the previous policy of sanctions was not working as the regime had not been undermined and had made conditions worse by withholding food and medicine from sections of the population.She said she believed the previous policy of sanctions was not working as the regime had not been undermined and had made conditions worse by withholding food and medicine from sections of the population.
Asked whether she felt the invasion was justified, she said: "I felt there was no other option". 'Optimistic'
Despite the years of violence following the invasion, Ms Clwyd said she was "optimistic" about the future of Iraq and progress was being made "in all areas", albeit slowly. Ms Clwyd, who said she believed her reports were read by the prime minister, said she regretted the deaths of British soldiers in Iraq and the huge casualty rates among Iraqi civilians.
She said she would continue to press the Iraqi government for information about the fate of British hostages as their relatives needed "certainty".
The UK government had an "obligation" to continue helping the Iraqi people and although she was "optimistic" about the future of the country, there were still areas of real concern such as the widespread abuse in the prison system.
"They need more training on how to treat prisoners properly."
The Iraq inquiry is examining the lead-up to the 2003 invasion, the conduct of the war and its aftermath.The Iraq inquiry is examining the lead-up to the 2003 invasion, the conduct of the war and its aftermath.
Hearings are now suspended until Monday, when foreign secretary Jack Straw will make his second appearance.