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El Salvador
Mr. Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with El Salvador. [16869]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: Relations with El Salvador are friendly. We welcome the near completion of the implementation of the 1992 Peace Accords which have restored peace and democracy to that country. We are involved in a political dialogue with El Salvador through the San Jose process which began in November 1985. The next Ministerial meeting of the EU/San Jose dialogue will take place during our Presidency in Costa Rica next February. Our trade relationship is also developing with our exports up by 7.7 per cent. We are currently negotiating an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with El Salvador and Air Services talks took place on 20 and 21 November to discuss ways of improving air services between our two countries.
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the United Nations Resolution Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons. [16924]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: We voted against the Resolution tabled in the United Nations First Committee by Malaysia about the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, because of its selective quotation of the Advisory Opinion and its unrealistic call for time-bound multilateral negotiations. We remain committed to the goal of nuclear disarmament and continue to hold the International Court of Justice in high regard. We have said that we will press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons and, when satisfied with progress, will ensure that British nuclear weapons are included in multilateral negotiations.
Congo
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations on the military intervention by Angola in Congo Brazzaville in the UN Security Council. [17154]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: On 17 October, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning all external interference in the Republic of Congo and, in particular, the intervention of foreign forces in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and calling for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces including mercenaries. The UK fully supports this statement.
Ottawa Treaty
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects Her Majesty's Government will ratify the Ottawa Treaty. [17050]
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Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We look forward to signing the Ottawa Convention on 3 December and will ratify it as soon as the necessary legislation is in place.
Mr. Leigh:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the term rights and obligations of natural and legal persons in Article 309 of the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty; which European institution will be responsible for interpreting this provision; and if he will make a statement. [17221]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
The reference to
"rights and obligations of natural and legal persons"
in this Article refers to their rights and obligations under Community law. The Council will, in the first instance, be responsible for interpreting this provision. It is also subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
Electronic Communications
Sir Richard Body: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the role of (a) the Home Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence on the discussions on COM(97)503 and a common European encryption procedure on electronic communication. [17266]
Mr. Robin Cook: Electronic communications are regularly discussed between interested Departments, including my Department and the Home Office. Both Departments were directly involved in consideration of the UK's response to COM(97)503, but the Ministry of Defence was not.
Africa (Great Lakes Region)
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new measures he will propose to the EU to deal with the situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa. [17151]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: During our presidency we will seek to ensure co-ordinated EU action in support of stability and economic development in the region, which takes account of humanitarian concerns, human rights issues and the need for improved and more accountable government. We will support the efforts of the EU Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Aldo Ajello, to promote dialogue and the negotiated resolution of conflict in the region.
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose the convening by the UN Secretary General of a conference on the problem of displaced people in the Great Lakes region. [17152]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We support the principle of convening, as soon as conditions allow it to produce concrete results, a conference under UN and OAU auspices to address issues of peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region. We will consult closely with regional states, partners in the EU and at the UN on the practicalities of arranging such a conference.
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Mr. Streeter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will submit his plans for the redirecting of intelligence resources towards combating the drugs trade to the Intelligence and Security Committee with an estimate of the time required (a) for that redirection and (b) to undo that redirection. [17021]
Mr. Robin Cook:
It is for the Intelligence and Security Committee to request information on intelligence issues which it wishes to consider.
Mr. Gill:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if joining the single currency will be considered acquis communautaire for applicant countries to the European Union. [17222]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Acceptance of the Community aim of economic and monetary union will be part of the acquis communautaire for applicant countries. The Treaty imposes an obligation to join the Single Currency on Member States considered, in compliance with Articles 109j and k, to fulfil the necessary conditions. However this obligation does not apply to Member States which, like the UK and Denmark, have negotiated special provisions. Applicant countries will have to decide whether to seek to negotiate special provisions in their treaties of accession.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the definition of war crimes to be used in the draft statute of the International Criminal Court. [16059]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
The definition of war crimes to be used in the draft statute of the International Criminal Court will be on the agenda for the next Preparatory Committee meeting in December. The United Kingdom will be an active participant in that discussion.
Mr. Streeter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the timing of a new intergovernmental conference. [17084]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
We see no need for a further intergovernmental conference (IGC) in the near future. Under the Protocol on the Institutions in the Treaty of Amsterdam, an IGC will be called to review the institutional provisions of the Treaties before the Union enlarges to 21 or more Member States.
Mr. Streeter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the co-operation envisaged by Article 127 of the treaty establishing the European Community will be restricted to that laid out in Article 129. [17287]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Article 127 (in the Amsterdam Treaty as Article 109p) gives the Community a general role of supporting and, if necessary, complementing
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co-operation that is occurring or may occur at Member State level, while respecting the competences of the Member States. The only specific power given to the Community for this purpose is that in Article 129 (or Article 109r) to adopt incentive measures to encourage and support co-operation.
Mr. Streeter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on European Union applicant countries and the desirability of expansion of the Western European Union. [17290]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Enlargement of the European Union is a priority for us. It will fulfil Europe's historic destiny and will enhance security and stability. Enlargement must remain an all-inclusive process.
We broadly agree with the European Commission's recommendations on the applicants' readiness for membership based on the criteria laid down by the Copenhagen and Madrid European Councils of June 1993 and December 1995 respectively. Generally speaking, these criteria require the new Member States to be able to take on the obligations of membership. Membership of the Western European Union is not such an obligation.
The criteria agreed by WEU Member States at Maastricht in 1991 established the eligibility of countries for different categories of WEU membership as and when they assume membership of NATO, the EU or both. The UK will welcome applications for these respective categories from new NATO and EU Members States should they choose to apply.
(Drug Trafficking)
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