House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 19 Jun 2000 (pt 5)

Opinion Polls

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the total cost of opinion polls conducted by her Department since 1 May 1997. [126447]

Clare Short: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 7 June 2000, Official Report, column 267W.

Good Governance Programmes

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the need for programmes to promote good governance in (a) Ghana, (b) Rwanda, (c) Nigeria, (d) Uganda and (e) China; and what assessment she has made of the extent of Government corruption in each case. [126652]

Clare Short: The promotion of good governance is an objective of our published country strategies for Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda and China. The country strategy papers also explain the means by which we propose to address this. In Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria we are working with the World bank and other international development agencies on corruption assignments.

We are also working with the World bank and other international development agencies to ensure that governance issues are properly reflected in poverty reduction strategies being prepared for decision on debt relief and for World bank and IMF lending.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the gap between aid provided and aid needs in 2000 for refugee return in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [126641]

Clare Short: The UNHCR's consolidated appeal for Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) for 2000 is for $38 million to support 130,000 vulnerable displaced persons and refugees. $352,000 has so far been earmarked by donors for the appeal. We understand that UNHCR will transfer non-earmarked funds to the appeal. We do not have information on bilateral commitments separate from the UNHCR appeal. Our own bilateral commitment for 2000 is £800,000, bringing our total commitment to £1.6 million.

Sierra Leone

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the extent of Government corruption in Sierra Leone. [126651]

Clare Short: We have made no specific assessment of the extent of corruption in Sierra Leone, but the Government there recognise the seriousness of the problem and requested help to deal with it. In response, we have helped the Government of Sierra Leone draft new anti-corruption legislation, and plan to help them set up the resultant Anti-Corruption Commission, which is due to become operational later in the year. We expect our support to continue over the next two to three years.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Gary Graham

Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet the British parliamentarians and lawyers concerned with the case of Gary Graham to discuss the international obligations that apply to the planned execution in Texas of Gary Graham. [125983]

Mr. Battle: We have written to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh), who has made representations on behalf of a number of hon. Members, inviting him to arrange an appointment to discuss the case of Gary Graham.

Iran

Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations to the Government of Iran concerning the conduct of the trial of 13 Jews accused of spying for Israel. [126441]

Mr. Hain: This Government and our EU colleagues have raised with the Iranians at every appropriate opportunity our concerns about the trial on espionage charges in Shiraz of 13 Jews and eight Moslems. Iran is aware of the importance that we and our EU partners attach to this issue.

Most recently the Director for Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised the issue with the Iranian Ambassador on 1 June and the EU Presidency in Tehran presented demarches on behalf of all EU partners to the Iranian authorities on 29 April and 23 May.

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the situation of members of the Jewish community in Shiraz who are undergoing the legal process in Iran; what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government concerning this case; and if he will make a statement. [126522]

Mr. Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman) today, Official Report, column 16W.

In addition, it has been reported that all the defendants have now appeared before the court and that defence statements have been lodged. We understand that two legal questions need to be resolved, following which, according to Iranian law, verdicts should be pronounced within one week.

Cuba

Mr. Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal assistance was given via the British Consular staff in Cuba to Ms Rachel McGee, prior to her trial there in September 1999. [126767]

Mr. Hain: Our consular staff are not legally trained and are not able to offer legal advice. We are able to provide lists of English speaking local lawyers.

19 Jun 2000 : Column: 17W

In Ms McGee's case our consular staff in Cuba provided to both Ms McGee and her family the details of the only law firm that is allowed to represent foreign nationals in Cuba. They also offered to facilitate payment for private legal services prior to her trial in September 1999.

Sierra Leone

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress made in establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and National Human Rights Commission in Sierra Leone as envisaged by the Lome Peace Agreement. [126616]

Mr. Hain: Prior to the attacks mounted by the Revolutionary United Front in May, some limited progress had been made in the establishment of both Commissions. Britain has supported the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare for the establishment of an effective Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list his officials who took part in observer missions during the negotiations in Lome between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front; [126609]

Mr. Hain: Britain has no diplomatic representation in Lome. A senior official from London, and a visiting official from the British High Commission in Accra accredited to Togo, observed these negotiations.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which officials from his Department received representations from the Justice Minister of Sierra Leone during the Lome talks; [126622]

Mr. Hain: The Minister of Justice led the Government of Sierra Leone delegation at the Lome peace negotiations. UK observers remained in close touch with the Minister of Justice throughout the negotiations.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the role played by his Department during the Lome negotiations on Sierra Leone. [126615]

Mr. Hain: Britain was among those present as observers during the negotiations in Lome between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he received from the UN Commissioner on Human Rights, on Sierra Leone, following her visit there in June 1999. [126624]

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Mr. Hain: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), met the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in London on 15 July 1999.

Discussion centred on the High Commissioner's impressions of the prospects for lasting peace and long-term reconciliation in Sierra Leone following her visit, and on the importance of international support to sustain the peace process and to rebuild the country.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role he envisages for the Revolutionary United Front in implementing of the Lome Peace Agreement. [126617]

Mr. Hain: The leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), Foday Sankoh, is now in detention. It is our view that he must remain so until he is brought to justice. Nor, after the attacks by the RUF on United Nations peacekeepers and the RUF's clear violation of the Lome Peace Agreement, can there be any role for members of the RUF in the present Government of Sierra Leone.

For those RUF combatants willing genuinely to disarm and to commit themselves to peace, a revised Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme must quickly be established to help them, and other combatants, move back into civilian life and to help train them for civilian employment.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the Lome agreement. [126614]

Mr. Hain: The provisions of the Lome Peace Agreement include: a permanent cessation of hostilities; disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of all former combatants; creation of effective and democratically accountable Sierra Leone armed forces to protect the country in the future; democratic elections; and an international peacekeeping force to supervise the process.

All these elements remain essential for any lasting peace in Sierra Leone.

At the same time, we have made clear that, in the light of recent events, there can be no place for RUF Ministers in the present government; and that the Revolutionary United Front leader, Foday Sankoh, must face justice.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the possibility of bringing Foday Sankoh to justice; [126629]

Mr. Hain: We welcome the Government of Sierra Leone's determination to bring to justice those responsible for the horrific atrocities in Sierra Leone. There are various judicial processes by which this could be achieved. We are discussing the options with the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations and have offered UK assistance.

19 Jun 2000 : Column: 19W

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations were made by his Department to (a) President Kabbah and (b) the Revolutionary United Front regarding granting of an amnesty to all the RUF members suspected of committing crimes in Sierra Leone prior to 7 July 1999; [126608]

Mr. Hain: This was one of the many difficult choices made by the Government of Sierra Leone in the interest of securing a negotiated solution to a brutal eight year conflict.

The Government of Sierra Leone recognised that the conflict could not be solved by military means alone, not least because it had little capacity to fight the Revolutionary United Front rebels. We are now leading international efforts to help create effective, accountable armed forces, so that the Government of Sierra Leone can restore law and order throughout Sierra Leone.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of illegal arms shipments to Sierra Leone. [126620]

Mr. Hain: I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will understand that the reports that the Government have received are sensitive in nature. It would be inappropriate for me to comment other than to reassure the right hon. Gentleman that appropriate action is being taken wherever possible.

We will be passing as much information on alleged violations as possible to the UN Sanctions Committee.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research his Department has undertaken on ways of preventing British weapons from falling into the hands of child soldiers. [126625]

Mr. Hain: We rigorously assess all arms export license applications against UK and EU criteria. These include the need to consider the risk that exported arms might be diverted to undesirable end-users, such as child soldiers. Similar considerations apply to exports of arms by the Government. The FCO and our posts overseas consult a wide range of contacts--both official and non-governmental--in order to inform the decision making process and thus reduce the risk of exports from the UK being diverted to undesirable end-users.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made to him by the Sierra Leone Government after 1 May on the deteriorating situation in Sierra Leone. [126619]

Mr. Hain: We have remained in close and regular touch with the Government of Sierra Leone throughout.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of children fighting in (a) the Sierra Leone army, (b) militias supporting the Sierra Leone Government and (c) factions fighting against the Sierra Leone army. [126639]

19 Jun 2000 : Column: 20W

Mr. Hain: We are totally opposed to the use of child soldiers wherever they may be employed. During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to Sierra Leone on 8 June, President Kabbah reaffirmed his assurances that children would not be used by the Sierra Leone armed forces. The leaders of the two main factions loyal to President Kabbah gave similar assurances to the Foreign Secretary.

Thousands of children have been forcibly recruited by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during the conflict in Sierra Leone, and forced to fight. Several thousand children are believed to remain in RUF hands.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times he has met President Kabbah of Sierra Leone since January 1999; where the meetings took place; and what was discussed. [126611]

Mr. Hain: Since January 1999, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has met President Kabbah on six occasions: in Abuja, in London, in New York, in Durban, in Cairo, and, most recently, in Freetown.

Discussion at these meetings centred on the prevailing situation in Sierra Leone, and on Britain's efforts to help the Government of Sierra Leone build lasting peace and stability.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the decision to introduce a twin-track strategy on Sierra Leone; and when this strategy was introduced. [126612]

Mr. Hain: The international community and the region have long pursued a military/diplomatic twin track policy for achieving lasting peace in Sierra Leone. The ECOWAS Summit of 1998 endorsed the recommendations of ECOWAS Ministers of Foreign Affairs to combine the strengthening of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) with efforts at dialogue.

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