Plaid Euro-MPs arrive in Iraq

The delegation say they want to reiterate a "No to War" message and to assess the damage already done to Iraq after sanctions were imposed more than a decade ago.

The two MEPs on the unofficial visit are Plaid Cymru's Jill Evans and Eurig Wyn - but even amongst their Euro-colleagues, the trip is criticised.

Most Liberal and Conservative members of the parliament - including some Socialists - have condemned the visit.

This is despite a vote in the Brussels based parliament to back the United Nations efforts to disarm Saddam Hussein's regime and against a unilateral American strike.

The visit comes in the wake of an anti-war march in Swansea at which Jill Evans spoke in strongly anti-American terms.

"We must not let the leaders of any militarily or economically powerful nation set the future scene for more bullying, posturing and intimidation.

"Any weapons of mass destruction and the political hegemonies they encourage do not promise a secure future for anyone on this earth," she said.

Some fear the trip will be manipulated by the Iraqis for their own benefit.

Conservative leader Jonathan Evans called it "a disgraceful act of political ego that dangerously serves to support Saddam Hussein".

Meanwhile, Labour MEP Gary Titley has said the trip was "pointless".

"It has no official status and it is hard to see what can be achieved."

As the two prepared to leave with the delegation, Labour Euro MEP Glenys Kinnock - who is not in the party - spoke of her feelings of concern about the Iraqi situation.

"I'm in the camp that believes that we should go for a clear second mandate, but based upon substantial evidence from the weapons inspectors," she said.

Timescale

Speaking on GMTV's Sunday programme, she added: "I know that a six-week timescale has now been agreed.

However, I don't think you should be setting timescales.

"I fear that the US is hell-bent upon a unilateral response to Saddam Hussein, who is of course an appalling despot and someone who needs to be tackled.

"But the prospect of war worries me very much indeed, in terms of the forces involved, but also of the suffering of the people of Baghdad and of Iraq generally."

While in Iraq the delegates will be briefed by UN humanitarian and other relief organisations such as the World Food Programme, World Health Organisation, UNICEF and UNHCR, before splitting-up on the last day.

On the last of their 4 day visit on February 6, half the delegation will visit Erbil in the autonomous Kurdish region in the north, while the other half will fly to the southern city of Basra.

Delegates hope to visit a children's ward in the local hospital and tour the demilitarized zone separating Iraq and Kuwait.

Count down

Hans Blix the chief weapons inspector will arrive in Iraq as the Euro-MP's depart to Brussels.

He has been invited back for a 2 day visit by the Iraqi authorities as the count down to a possible war now seems to be between 4 and 6 weeks away.

Meanwhile Welsh soldiers are making their way to the Gulf as part of the largest deployments of British troops since 1982.