| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Falklands
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Chilean Government concerning the continuation of flights to the Falklands by Lan Chile after 31 March. [73247]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
This is a commercial matter for discussion between Lan Chile and the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. We have, however, expressed our regret to the Chilean Government over their decision
25 Feb 1999 : Column: 452
to ask Lan Chile to suspend flights to the Falklands and said we do not believe this to be justified. We welcome assurances by Lan Chile that they will honour their contract with the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, which expires on 31 March. We hope that they will continue to fly to the Falklands thereafter.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to Chile concerning its formal recognition of the Argentine claim to the Falklands. [73248]
25 Feb 1999 : Column: 453
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We are aware of Chilean statements of support for the Argentine position on the Falklands in recent years. We have made clear to the Chilean Government that we have no doubt abut British sovereignty over the Falklands and have called on them to recognise the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that Russians are working on Iran's nuclear, chemical and biological programmes. [73250]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Russia has extensive commercial relations with Iran, including in the nuclear energy field. Russia's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) forbid her to assist any other country's nuclear weapons programme. Its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC) would prevent assistance to the development of chemical or biological weapons. Iran is also a party to the NPT, CWC and BTWC. We have detailed contact with both Russia and Iran on non-proliferation issues. As with other countries, we take up with them directly concerns we have of non-compliance with their obligations under such conventions.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates on which Ministers have (a) contacted and (b) been contacted by the Russian Foreign Minister since 1 November 1998. [73249]
Ms Quin:
Contacts between Ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov are frequent. This continues the pattern established when Mr. Primakov was Foreign Minister. Over the last two weeks alone, the Foreign Secretary has been in contact with Ivanov or Deputy Foreign Minister Avdeev on an almost daily basis concerning the Rambouillet peace process and other international issues. Our contacts since 1 November 1998 are therefore far too numerous to itemise case by case.
25 Feb 1999 : Column: 454
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Embassy staff remain in Belgrade. [73275]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Eleven British Embassy staff remained in Belgrade following the withdrawal of non-essential staff and dependants on 19-20 February. Staff were withdrawn due to concern about security in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) as the deadline for the conclusion of the Rambouillet Peace Talks approached.
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice the Government have given to British nationals working in Yemen following the threat made by the group calling itself The Army of Suicides, Group Number 66, Bin Laden Militant Wing. [73185]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
The safety of British nationals is of paramount importance to the Government. We monitor closely all potential threats to British interests in the UK and overseas.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice is updated regularly. Currently, we advise against all travel to Yemen. British nationals resident in Yemen are advised to consider whether their presence in Yemen is absolutely necessary, and if not, to leave. If they choose to stay, they should review their security arrangements; be extra vigilant; and stay in close touch with the British Embassy in Sana'a or the Consulate General in Aden.
Mr. Mullin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the first annual audit of arms sales; and if he will make a statement. [71596]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 8 February 1999, Official Report, column 81.