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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Burma

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with United Nations partners on the Burmese Government's atrocities against the (a) Karen, (b) Karenni and (c) Shan people; and what evidence he has collated on crimes against humanity committed in Burma. [135919]

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Mr. Mike O'Brien: There is no doubt that appalling human rights violations have taken place in Burma over many years and that the ethnic minorities have suffered disproportionately. We regularly discuss these issues with our UN partners at the UN Commission on Human Rights and at the United Nations General Assembly.

We do not currently have independent verification of crimes against humanity in Burma. However, we receive regular reports from the UN's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, the British embassy in Rangoon, and International Non Government Organisations detailing human rights abuses in Burma.

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Government has raised concerns with Burma's regime regarding the Burmese military's atrocities against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [135920]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We regularly raise human rights abuses, including those against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people, with the Burmese regime.

Concern over the treatment of ethnic groups in Burma was raised (with the Burmese) at the UN Commission on Human Rights in April 2003 and in last November's UN General Assembly resolution on Burma. Human Rights abuses against the ethnic nationalities were also highlighted by the EU when it strengthened the EU Common Position on Burma earlier this year.

Central African Republic

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the security situation in the Central African Republic; how it has developed since September 2002; and if he will make a statement. [136635]

Mr. Mullin: In a military coup of 15 March 2003, forces loyal to General Bozize took over the capital Bangui, ousting the incumbent President Patasse. After an initial spate of looting and retribution, troops of the Communaute Economique et Monetaire de 1'Afrique Centrale helped restore control. The situation remains volatile outside Bangui, where remnants of Patasse's supporters and local militia have taken advantage of the instability. The transitional government is gradually restoring calm. The government supports international efforts to restore stability to the country.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with members of the governments of (a) EU member states, (b) EU candidate countries, (c) member states of the Economic Community of Central African States, (d) South Africa and (e) the USA on the developments in the (i) political and (ii) humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic since March; and if he will make a statement. [136641]

Mr. Mullin: Since March this year, the Government has had regular discussions with international partners in the EU, UN and the region on the political and

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humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic, and has supported efforts to restore peace and stability there.

Colombia

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to assist the Colombian authorities in their fight against terrorist organisations. [136769]

Mr. Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn) on 5 November 2003, Official Report, column 654W.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Colombia regarding the legalisation of paramilitary organisations. [136784]

Mr. Rammell: We are unaware of any moves to legalise paramilitary organisations in Colombia. We have concerns, however, about Decree 128 (2003) which is relevant to the peace process with the AUG. We have stressed to the Colombian Government that in pursuing a peace process with any of the illegal armed groups there should be no general amnesty or pardon for those who have committed human rights violations, and that all negotiations should be open, transparent and treated on the same basis.

East Timor

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs further to his answer of 22 October 2003, Official Report, columns 615–16, if he will publish official statements on East Timor and discussions with the head of the diplomatic service in Jakarta in October 1975. [136200]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: In accordance with the Public Records Acts the papers relating to the then Permanent Under-Secretary's visit to Indonesia in 1975 will be reviewed in 2005 for release on 1 January 2006. I agreed to the early release of the 1975–76 files relating to the Balibo case on a one-off basis. The release of these files should therefore not be taken as a precedent.

India and Pakistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) members of the Government of Pakistan, (b) members of the Government of India, (c) members of the governments of EU member states, (d) members of the governments of EU candidate states and (e) members of the Administration of the USA concerning (i) the confidence-building measures proposed by India last week and (ii) the reaction of Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [136352]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary released two press statements following the Indian announcement of a further package of proposals of ways to improve relations with Pakistan, and Pakistan's formal response. The first statement made on 22 October is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases. The second statement made

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on 31 October was released locally by our British High Commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad, a copy of which is available on our High Commission in Islamabad's website: britainonline.org.pk/highcomm/downloads/31octa.pdf.

The Foreign Secretary has also had discussions with both Indian Foreign Minister Sinha and Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri over the last week. Both the Foreign Secretary and I met Foreign Minister Kasuri on 4 November in London, during which we discussed the measures proposed by India and Pakistan to further improve relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Kasuri said that he hoped both sides would implement quickly the steps on which they agree and work together to close the gap on those where there is less common ground. I also met Tariq Aziz, the Secretary to the National Security Council in Islamabad on 23 October. We remain in regular contact with the US and EU member states over our shared concern to encourage India and Pakistan to work together towards normalising their relations and resolving their differences, including over Kashmir.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of order 39, issued by the Coalition Administration of Iraq, with (a) paragraph 43 of the 1907 Hague regulations, (b) the 4th Geneva Convention and (c) UNSCR 1483. [135761]

Mr. Rammell: The Government are satisfied that UNSCR 1483 (2003) provides a sound legal basis for the CPA Foreign Investment Order. Resolution 1483 authorises the Coalition to undertake activities to promote economic reform in Iraq, in coordination with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General.

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has (a) to contribute funds to the reconstruction of Iraq and (b) to develop and implement investment programmes to aid in that reconstruction. [136586]

Mr. Rammell: At the Iraq Donors Conference held in Madrid on 23 and 24 October my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) announced the UK contribution of £544 million for reconstruction and investment projects in Iraq.

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to help with the repayment of Iraqi debt. [136587]

Mr. Rammell: The UK is playing a very active role in achieving a sustainable solution to Iraq's debt. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is promoting a multilateral settlement through the Paris Club. G7 Finance Ministers have called for this to be achieved by the end of 2004, and for non-Paris Club members to co-operate with this process. A moratorium on debt repayment has been agreed by the members of the Paris Club for that period.

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