---

22 Jul 2004 : Column 545W—continued

Kashmir

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to (a) the Indian Government and (b) the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir concerning the decision to expel Mr. Jim Borst from Kashmir. [184989]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We believe Father Jim Borst is a Dutch citizen. It would be therefore for the Dutch authorities to act. We have alerted the Netherlands embassy in New Delhi, which is looking into his case.

Kenya

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library evidence provided by Her Majesty's High Commissioner in Kenya to the Kenyan Government in support of his speech to Kenyan businessmen; and which company it was whose name was omitted from published versions of his remarks. [185477]

 
22 Jul 2004 : Column 546W
 

Mr. Mullin [holding answer 20 July 2004]: We are responding to requests for information from the competent Kenyan authorities. They have asked us not to divulge details in order to avoid prejudicing ongoing anti-corruption investigations.

No company names were omitted from the published version of the High Commissioner's speech.

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current state of relations with Kenya. [185667]

Mr. Mullin: The UK currently enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Kenya.

Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Department's assessment of the level of corruption within the Kenyan Government is. [185839]

Mr. Mullin: In its 2003 report, Transparency International judged Kenya to be the eleventh most corrupt country globally. There are certainly frequent allegations of unsatisfactory tendering and contracting procedures in which senior members of the Kenyan Government are allegedly involved. We have been pressing strongly for these to be fully investigated and firm action taken against any individual shown to have been involved in any corrupt practice. The British Government are co-operating fully with investigations.

Maldives

Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received concerning the first sitting on 19 July of the special Majlis in the Republic of Maldives; and if he will make a statement. [185800]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We welcome the start of the Special Majlis and the opportunity this provides for the people of the Maldives and their elected representatives to consider constitutional reform. We welcome the proposals made in President Gayoom's speech of 9 June and his commitment to a free and transparent debate. The opening session was temporarily suspended after disagreement on the voting procedure for a speaker. We look to all concerned to resolve this matter as soon as possible to allow the session to begin. We will continue to follow events in the Maldives closely.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Maldives. [185827]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We welcomed President Gayoom's speech of 9 June, which proposed wide ranging constitutional reforms to develop and strengthen democracy in the Maldives, including the right to establish political parties, the full separation of powers, establishing the office of Prime Minister and limiting the terms of President. We welcome President Gayoom's commitment to free and open debate, and look to the Maldivian authorities to ensure this. The Special Majlis on constitutional reform will be key. We will continue to follow events in the Maldives closely.
 
22 Jul 2004 : Column 547W
 

Middle East

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with other Middle East partners and states concerning stability in the region. [185278]

Mr. Rammell [holding answer of 21 July 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has in the last three months spoken to the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and Israel, as well as EU counterparts and the US Secretary of State.

My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean has recently visited Syria (8–9 June) and Israel (28–30 June). Regional issues were discussed during both of these visits.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning the crushing to death of Ibrahim Mahmoud Khalafallah during the demolition of homes in Gaza. [185443]

Mr. Rammell: The demolition of homes is a form of collective punishment and harms innocent civilians. It fuels anger among Palestinians and makes a peaceful settlement more difficult to achieve. We continue to raise our concerns with the Government of Israel about such actions. We recognise Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism, but it must act within the parameters of international law.

We have not made specific representations to the Government of Israel concerning the death of Ibrahim Mahmoud Khalafallah.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning the targeting of British hon. Members and Peers by soldiers of the Israeli Defence Force in June; and if he will make a statement. [185446]

Mr. Rammell: We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government and the Israeli ambassador about the shots that were reportedly fired at a group of British Parliamentarians during their visit to Rafah on 18 June. We have asked the Israelis for an explanation.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his colleagues in the Quartet concerning Israel's retention of settlements in the West Bank following the withdrawal from Gaza. [185447]

Mr. Rammell: The UK is represented in the Quartet (UN, US, EU, Russia) through the EU. We, EU partners and other Quartet members have made clear that Prime Minister Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza and part of the West Bank would provide a rare moment of opportunity in the search for peace in the Middle East. At the same time they have said that all final settlement issues, including borders, are to be decided through negotiations between the parties. The UK fully supports this position.
 
22 Jul 2004 : Column 548W
 

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning freedom of movement of Palestinians in and out of the Gaza Strip after the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. [185448]

Mr. Rammell: As the Quartet (UN, US, Russia, EU) set out on 4 May, securing freedom of movement for the Palestinian population will be an important element in ensuring that withdrawals bring about an improved quality of life for the Palestinian people. The World Bank report of 24 June also cited improved freedom of movement as essential to development of the Palestinian economy.

We have discussed withdrawal and its implications with the parties and will continue to do so. My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean discussed withdrawal with several Israeli Ministers during her visit to the region on 28 to 30 June, and made clear the importance of maximum freedom of movement for Palestinians following Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government concerning the route of the security barrier. [185492]

Mr. Rammell: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 13 July 2004, Official Report, columns 1240–41, he and my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean have discussed the issue of the barrier with Israeli Ministers on many occasions. We have consistently made it clear to the Israeli Government that the barrier built on occupied territory is illegal. Most recently the Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of the barrier and the ICJ ruling with Israeli Foreign Minister Shalom on 15 July.

---