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Congo
29. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his steps to bring peace to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [112897]
Mr. Hain: Bringing peace to DRC matters to Britain. That is why we are actively supporting the Lusaka Agreement. It provides a realistic peace formula. So our aim is to make it work and to keep DRC on the international agenda.
At the Security Council meetings in December and January, and in bilateral discussions with all those involved, I made clear that Britain would back all those determined to make Lusaka work: with finance, practical help, people on the ground and political support. I encouraged others to follow suit.
And if we all play our part in driving the process forward; if there is sustained international support; if the parties to the conflict work for peace, Lusaka can be implemented.
30. Mr. David Heath:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in Nigeria. [112898]
Mr. Hain:
We welcome the strong start that the government of President Obasanjo has made since taking office in May 1999 and his commitment to reform. There are many serious challenges ahead for Nigeria. Britain will continue to support Nigeria's reform programme.
31. Mr. Borrow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the new Argentine administration about the Falklands Islands. [112899]
Mr. Battle:
We have established a good working relationship with the new Argentine Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has met President De la Rua twice. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has met Rodriguez Giavarini. I attended the Argentine Presidential inauguration and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has met the Argentine President and Defence Minister.
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On these and other occasions both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Statement of July 1999 and to continue our dialogue on issues of common interest.
This does not affect our sovereignty of the Falkland Islands or our commitment to the Islanders' rights to determine their own future.
32. Mr. Tom Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Her Majesty's Government have held with the Australian and New Zealand Governments on the situation in East Timor. [112900]
34. Maria Eagle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Australian and New Zealand Governments about the situation in East Timor. [112902]
Mr. Battle:
We hold regular discussions with the Australian and New Zealand Governments on a range of issues, including East Timor. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I held talks with the Australian Foreign Minister during his visit to London in January, and I visited Australia from 21-26 February and New Zealand from 27 February to 2 March for discussions with members of both Governments. We will continue to work together to ensure the transition of East Timor to a new democracy.
33. Mrs. Betty Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support Her Majesty's Government are providing for institution- building in East Timor. [112901]
Mr. Battle:
We are working closely with the UN Transitional Administration (UNTAET) to help East Timor prepare for statehood. We have committed a total of £19.71 million to help with humanitarian relief, reconstruction and institution-building. In addition 14 British policemen and four military liaison officers are serving in UNTAET. We look forward to seeing East Timor emerge as the first new democracy of the 21st century.
35. Mr. St. Aubyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government with respect to the status of Palestinian refugees. [112903]
Mr. Hain:
Both the status and the condition of Palestinian refugees are of great importance to us. We support UN General Assembly Resolution 194. Our contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, bilaterally through the EU, make us the largest EU donor and second largest country donor.
36. Ms Perham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist the Palestinian authority to build democratic and accountable institutions. [112904]
Mr. Hain:
The UK's programme of assistance to the Palestinians includes several projects to strengthen their institutions and promote good governance. For example
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the FCO fund the Palestinian rights Programme which is the largest FCO human rights programme anywhere in the world. DfID are also providing technical and legal assistance to the Palestinian Authority, for example to the Ministry of Economy and Trade to help prepare trade negotiations.
38. Mr. Goggins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent Human Rights Watch report on conditions in Colombia. [112906]
Mr. Battle:
We have considered the recent Human Rights Watch report carefully.
The allegations in this report are serious, particularly those of collusion between the Armed Forces and the paramilitaries.
We are encouraged by assurances from the Colombian Government that it is taking steps to address these issues. We will continue to follow this closely.
39. Dr. Gibson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with China. [112907]
Mr. Battle:
China is an important and growing presence in the world, with which we need to engage. We have a good and wide ranging relationship with China, which is not just political and commercial, but includes areas such as culture, education and science and technology. Engagement with the Chinese at all levels enables us to promote our interests in these areas and to raise our concerns about human rights and other sensitive issues.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the proposed resolution on China, to be tabled at the 56th United Nations Commission on Human Rights; [114420]
Mr. Battle:
We are aware that the United States intends to table a resolution critical of China at the forthcoming 56th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. We are considering policy towards the resolution, including a position on co-sponsorship, with EU partners, as was the case in 1999. The matter will be discussed at the General Affairs Council on 21 March.
Mr. Hunter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's relations with Mozambique. [112884]
Mr. Hain:
UK/Mozambique relations are close and friendly, and the UK has been at the forefront of the emergency relief effort following floods and future development assistance.
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Mr. Gareth R. Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further efforts he is making to encourage a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sri Lanka between Government forces and the Tamil Tigers. [113653]
Mr. Hain:
We take every opportunity at bilateral meetings to stress the need for a political settlement to end the conflict in Sri Lanka. We have made clear that we stand ready to help if both sides ask us to play a role.
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings have been held within his Department to consider his plan to change the name of British embassies to United Kingdom embassies; and what was the cost of holding these meetings. [113845]
Mr. Hain:
No meetings were held to discuss this. We have no plans to stop using 'British' in describing our diplomatic missions overseas. British Embassies will continue to be known as British Embassies.
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the cost of changing the name of the British Embassy in the United States of America to the United Kingdom Embassy. [113846]
Mr. Hain:
There are no plans to change the name of the British Embassy in the United States of America. I would be opposed to any such change.
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the cost of implementing his plan to change the name of British Embassies to United Kingdom Embassies. [113844]
Mr. Hain:
We have no plans to stop using "British" in describing our diplomatic missions overseas. British Embassies will continue to be known as British Embassies.
(2) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of co-sponsoring a resolution on China at the 56th United Nations Commission on Human Rights. [114422]
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