RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ MUST BE ON UN ROUTE - TONGE

11.33.00am GMT Wed 26th Mar 2003

Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary Dr Jenny Tonge MP today challenged Ministers to say whether the UN will take the lead in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Speaking at Question Time in the House of Commons, Dr Tonge said: "Donald Rumsfeld has said that US dollars will not be used for the reconstruction of Iraq. "

"It has been estimated that 400 billion dollars are needed for this purpose. Given that the USA wants total control of the process via USAID, and international donors like France and Germany will not contribute unless there is a new UN resolution, does the Secretary of State think the Prime Minister will be successful – this time – in persuading George Bush to follow the UN route?"