Memorandum submitted by The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office
INTRODUCTION
The Foreign Affairs Committee issued its Second
Report on Sierra Leone, HC116 (1998-99) on 3 February 1999. The
Foreign Secretary gave the Government's official response on 13
April 1999 (CM4325). The Government is pleased to respond to the
Foreign Affairs Commitee's request for an update on events since
then.
OVERVIEW: THE
SITUATION IN
SIERRA LEONE
The situation in Sierra Leone has improved considerably
since Spring 1999.
In July 1999, a Peace Agreement was signed on
Lome, Togo, between the Government of Sierra Leone and the main
rebel force, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The British
Government supports the agreement, which offers the people of
Sierra Leone the prospect of sustainable peace after eight years
of brutal conflict.
The Peace Agreement introduced a cessation of
hostilities: provision for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration
of an combatants; new arrangements designed to ensure the country's
diamond wealth is used to benefit the people; and a Truth and
Reconciliation Commission to address atrocities commited during
the war.
The security situation in Sierra Leone remains
volatile. Human rights abuses continue in some areas. But the
ceasefire is broadly holding, and disarmament and reintegration
of the combatants has begun. We are pressing all the parties to
implement their commitments fully.
The Agreement also provided for the introduction
of a UN force. Deployment of a substantial UN peacekeeping effort
is now well underway. When at full strength, the force will total
some 11,000 personnel: the largest UN force anywhere in the world
at present. Britain has contributed UK personnel and practical
assistance to help the UN reach full strength as quickly as possible.
The UN force (UNAMSIL) is monitoring the Peace
Agreement and helping the parties to implement it. UNAMSIL will
help to instil confidence, to protect and promote human rights,
and to facilitate access for humanitarian agencies. Where there
is a UN presence, normal life is gradually returning, and communities
are starting to be rebuilt.
A major objective for 2000 is to create the
conditions for free and fair elections to be held in Sierra Leone
in Spring 2001.
Britain is helping the peace process. We are
playing a leading role in the disarmament of former combatants;
in the restoration of effective government; in the rebuilding
of new, democratically accountable armed forces and the police
force; and in the reconstruction and development of the country
and its institutions.
The Secretary of State for International Development
chaired a high-level donors' conference on Sierra Leone at Lancaster
House on 27 March. Representatives of the UN and World Bank co-chaired.
The Conference resulted in pledges of substantial new assistance
for Sierra Leone, including a further £17.5 million from
the Department for International Development.
In other recent moves, the UK has agreed the
temporary provision of weapons and associated ammunition to the
new Sierra Leone police force, to help them support the UN peacekeeping
force and promote peace and security in the country.
It has also been decided to establish a UK-led
Military Advisory and Training Team (MATT) in Sierra Leone. This
will help to build new, democratically accountable and effective
armed forces. The UK will provide the majority of the personnel,
but other countries will also participate. Work will begin as
soon as possible.
Britain will continue to support the people
of Sierra Leone in their efforts to build lasting peace, democracy
and stability.
UPDATE ON
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee have asked in particular for an
update in respect of those recommendations which were accepted
or partially accepted by the Government. These are addressed below.
The Government has not commented further on
those FAC recommendations which were ephemeral or which have already
been fully implemented and the Committee informed; or where there
is nothing new to add to the Government's original response. The
various measures introduced by the Government after the Legg Report,
and notified to the Committee in the Government's original response,
remain in force.
NOTE: The
paragraphs referred to are those in the Summary of Conclusions
and Recommendations in the original FAC report.
Paragraph 3
The Government will keep the working of the
United Nations Act 1946 under review. The Government undertook
in its previous response to report Orders made under the Act to
the Foreign Affairs Committee as soon as they have been made by
Her Majesty in Council. The FCO has subsequently notified the
Committee of the Orders made under the Act to implement the UN
sanctions in relation to Afghanistan mandated by UN Security Council
Resolution 1267 of 15 October 1999.
Paragraph 5
All changes to the sanctions regimes implemented
by the UK, including changes to arms embargoes, are announced
to Parliament immediately. The FCO has posted on its website a
continually updated list of all sanctions regimes and arms embargoes
implemented by the UK. Annexed to this is a note detailing the
scope of all arms embargoes implemented by the UK and a Summary
of Additional UK Restrictions on the Export of Strategic Goods.
These documents are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Paragraph 8
All orders in Council made under the United
Nations Act 1946 since the publication of the Foreign Affairs
Committee's report specify that any licence must be given in writing.
An order in Council amending all previous orders made under the
United Nations Act 1946 for consistency is expected to be made
in April. Amendments have already been made to the Export of Goods
(Control) Order 1994 and the Dual Use and Related (Export Control)
Regulations 1996.
Paragraph 10
There has, fortunately, been no need for any
post to move temporarily from their normal office premises in
the last year. But the FCO remains very much alive to the need
to ensure that, should such circumstances arise, staff concerned
have access to secure and effective communications.
Paragraph 23
The FCO Sanctions Unit, established in July
1998, is now headed by a First Secretary. It has a wide mandate,
acting as the central Government point of contact on policy, implementation
and enforcement for all sanctions regimes implemented by the UK,
including UN, EU and national measures. It is responsible, among
other things, for ensuring that staff in the FCO and overseas
are aware of the scope of all sanctions regimes implemented by
the UK.
Paragraph 29 and 31a
The Government undertook, in its previous response,
to issue a Green Paper on mercenary activity, and intends to do
so by November 2000.
Paragraph 31b
The Government attaches importance to tightening
controls on trafficking and brokering. The Government regrets
that the demands on parliamentary time in the current session
did not allow a Bill to be introduced to implement the proposals
contained in the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls (Cm
3989). However, the Government will announce proposals for new
export control legislation following the conclusion of the review
of the White Paper proposals, in the light of responses received
and the views expressed by the relevant Select Committees. Decisions
on the legislative programme for future sessions have yet to be
taken; in doing so, the Government will take into account the
Committees' support for new legislation.
Paragraph 33
The FCO Parliamentary Relations Department (PRD)
was strengthened and expanded in 1999. A key change was the appointment
of a senior officer from the House of Commons, on secondment as
Head of PRD. His expertise is helping to heighten awareness, at
all levels within the FCO, and understanding of Parliamentary
concerns. PRD are now more closely involved in FCO daily business.
Training available on parliamentary matters to both serving FCO
officials and to new entrants is also being increased.
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