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Tibet

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Chinese Government over their treatment of the people of Tibet, with particular regard to the death sentence on Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche; and if he will make a statement. [203139]

 
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Mr. Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 731W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock)

Uganda

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps (a) the Government, (b) the European Union and (c) the United Nations Security Council are taking to support and promote peace talks in Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [202527]

Mr. Mullin: We welcome the statement by the Lords Resistance Army on 2 November 2004 that they are willing to enter peace talks. We and our EU partners have taken a significant interest in the conflict in northern Uganda. We are encouraging the Government of Uganda to seize this opportunity. We have made clear to them that we are ready to provide assistance in the negotiation process if requested.

Although the assistance of the UN has not been requested by the Government of Uganda, they are taking an increasing interest in the conflict. On 25 November 2004, members of the UN Security Council met President Museveni and urged him to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible.

UK Citizens (US Detention)

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are being detained by US authorities. [202967]

Mr. Mullin [holding answer of 9 December 2004]: The latest figures available are for 30 June 2004. The total number of British nationals in detention in the US on that day was 717.

In addition, there were four British nationals detained in Guantanamo Bay by the US authorities.

Ukraine

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) opposition parties and (b) civil organisations in the Ukraine regarding reports of voting irregularities in the recent election. [202518]

Mr. Mullin: Opposition parties and civil organisations reported a large number of voting irregularities in the recent presidential elections in Ukraine. However, we base our concerns about the election process in Ukraine on the conclusions of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission. ODIHR is the OSCE's internationally recognised professional and objective body for monitoring elections in OSCE participating states. In Ukraine, ODIHR identified serious shortcomings in the electoral process.

Our Embassy in Kiev remains in contact with all parties involved and continues to urge them to take forward the 1 December agreement brokered by EU High Representative Solana and President Kwasniewski
 
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of Poland. We are also stressing the need for the process to deliver an outcome that genuinely reflects the will of the people.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Ukraine on the importance of respecting democratic values. [202519]

Mr. Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made any direct representations to the Government of Ukraine. However, he has made a number of statements, including in this House on 29 November 2004, Official Report, column 359W. Our Ambassador in Kiev is in daily contact with all parties involved, including the Ukrainian authorities, calling on them to take forward the 1 December agreement brokered by EU High Representative Solana and President Kwasniewski of Poland.

We have chosen to work with partners through the EU to maximise our influence on events in Ukraine. We have therefore fully supported and encouraged representations made on behalf of the EU by the Presidency and the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. Both have been in regular contact with the Government of Ukraine at the highest levels in recent weeks.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of holding separation ballots in the Ukraine for the stability of that country and the region. [202932]

Mr. Mullin: We support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and do not believe that the people of Ukraine want to see the break up of their country. We understand that no ballots on separation are currently envisaged.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further diplomatic steps the UK Government is taking to ensure that political stability and democracy in the Ukraine is maintained. [202933]

Mr. Mullin: We continue to give our full and active support to the EU's efforts to facilitate a resolution to the crisis. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken to the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, on two occasions since the flawed second round of the elections. We have issued several bilateral statements, in addition to EU statements, expressing concern about flaws in the electoral process. We remain in regular contact with all parties, including the Ukrainian authorities, and are urging them to continue to show restraint.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK Government plan to give to ensure that elections are both fair and transparent as judged against international electoral standards, in the event of a re-run of the elections in the Ukraine. [202934]

Mr. Mullin: In the event of a re-run, we understand that the original invitation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to run an
 
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international election observation mission still stands. The UK will contribute at least 10 per cent. of the total number of observers requested by the OSCE.

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the British ambassador to the Ukraine on the unrest in Ukraine following the second round of the presidential elections; and if he will make a statement. [203631]

Mr. MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken directly to our ambassador in Kiev as the situation has evolved, as have I. We see his reporting every day. Our officials in London are also in daily contact with our embassy in Kiev.

UN Secretary General Report

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the report of the United Nations Secretary-General's high level panel on threats, challenge and change, published on 2 December. [202807]

Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has welcomed the report.

We support the Panel's broad approach of acting earlier to tackle conflict and to build consensus in acting more decisively against the broad range of threats.

The Report includes an important recommendation for a new Peacebuilding Commission to provide more focused management of individual post-conflict situations; it recognises that the UN must organise itself better to prevent conflict; it includes innovative proposals on improving the international communities response to threats of proliferation and terrorism; and it proposes a collective international 'Responsibility to Protect', that is to act against genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law, among other important recommendations.

Reform of the United Nations is a priority for the Government and we will work closely with the Secretary-General and other countries to ensure full discussion of the proposals and implementation of the report's key findings that find consensus.

Uzbekistan

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Uzbekistan about its obligations under the (a) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and (b) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [202802]

Mr. Rammell: Along with our EU colleagues we regularly stress to the Uzbek authorities the importance of meeting Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and UN commitments.

A national action plan on torture was introduced by the Uzbek Prime Minister on 9 March 2004. However this failed to mention the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I have urged the Uzbek authorities to implement these recommendations without delay. Our Embassy raised this again most
 
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recently with the First Deputy Foreign Minister on 1 December. We expect to see an amended plan in due course. At the same time the Deputy Foreign Minister was reminded of the importance of meeting the obligations of the UN Human Rights Committee.

On 11 November 2004, an EU delegation, including the UK, reminded the Deputy Foreign Minister of the importance we attach to the Parliamentary elections on 26 December 2004 meeting OSCE election standards. Along with the OSCE, we will continue to follow these elections and the prospects for democracy and political rights closely.

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