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7 Feb 2005 : Column 1311W—continued
Cuba
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Cuban authorities concerning (a) Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and (b) Jorge Luis Garcia Pe"rez (Atu"nez). [211958]
Mr. Rammell: We regularly raise human rights cases—including those of political prisoners Dr. Oscar Biscet and Jorge Luis Garcia Pe"rez (Atu"nez)—with the Cuban authorities in London and in Havana. We have been monitoring their situation and health, and our embassy staff maintain close contacts with local human rights groups involved in their cases and with friends and family of the individuals. Dr. Biscet visited our embassy in November 2002 shortly before his arrest and the embassy continues to maintain regular contact with his wife, Elsa Morejon. The Government are aware of considerable public interest in the fate of all political prisoners in Cuba, including the two mentioned here. The case of Jorge Luis Garcia Pe"rez has also been raised both bilaterally and within the EU. The UK, along with EU partners, continues to urge the Cuban Government to release all political prisoners in Cuba.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the maintenance of the EU's Common Position on Cuba. [211959]
Mr. Rammell:
The EU's Common Position on Cuba, adopted in 1996, aims to promote a peaceful transition towards pluralist democracy in Cuba, with respect for human rights and an improvement of the living standards of the Cuban people. The Common Position sets out a policy of constructive engagement and dialogue with both the Cuban government and all sectors of civil society as the best way to achieve this goal. The Common Position is re-evaluated annually. The UK and all other member states are committed to maintaining the Common Position as the basis for the EU's policy towards Cuba. This was reaffirmed by the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council on 31 January.
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Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he and (b) his Ministers have had with the Spanish Government concerning the EU Common Position on Cuba. [211960]
Mr. Rammell: Both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have kept in touch with our counterparts from Spain, and other member states, during the recent review of EU policy towards Cuba. This review culminated in the adoption of new Council Conclusions at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 31 January 2005. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to the 1996 EU Common Position.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Cuban Government concerning section 3(b) of the EU's Common Position on Cuba. [211961]
Mr. Rammell: Promoting respect for human rights is fundamental to the UK's policy towards Cuba, as set out in the EU Common Position of 1996. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2004 Human Rights report contains a substantial section on Cuba and outlines more fully the work that the Government undertakes in this regard. The report can be accessed online at www.fco.gov.uk/humanrights.
Following the March 2003 crackdown on dissidents, I summoned the Cuban Ambassador in London to express the UK's dismay for the Cuban government's actions. In all subsequent meetings with the ambassador I have raised human rights concerns.
The UK will continue to use every opportunity to call for the release of all political prisoners and to urge the Cuban Government to apply greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, political reform and further economic liberalisation in Cuba.
Departmental Spending
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of unallocated departmental spending in (a) 2005–06, (b) 2006–07, and (c) 2007–08; and if he will make a statement. [213266]
Mr. MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), like all Government Departments, has to maintain a Departmental Unallocated Provision (DUP) which can be used to meet unanticipated events which could not have been foreseen at the time of the Spending Round. For the three years covered by the 2004 Spending Review the DUP is set at the following levels, as it steadily rises to the target of 2 per cent. of the FCO Core budget (i.e. excluding British Council and BBC World Service):
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 2005–06 | 16 |
| 2006–07 | 19 |
| 2007–08 | 22 |
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Environmental Treaties
Mr. Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Commonwealth counterparts on the policy of the US to specify non-adherence to international environmental treaties as a condition of bilateral trade agreements. [213251]
Mr. MacShane: We are not aware of any such policy on the part of the US Government and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have therefore not discussed the issue with their Commonwealth counterparts.
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Mr. MacDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague to complete its work. [212015]
Mr. MacShane: The Completion Strategy of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has established deadlines for the completion of all investigations by end 2004, all trials by end 2008 and all appeals by end 2010.
The ICTY met the first deadline. Both the President and Prosecutor of ICTY have, however, alerted the Security Council to the risk of slippage in the later dates, in particular given the number of indictees that remain at large.
The United Kingdom takes every opportunity to encourage the ICTY to fulfil their mandate in the most effective and timely manner and will continue to press all countries to co-operate fully in the apprehension of fugitives.
Mr. MacDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague has been (a) to the UN and (b) to the UK. [212029]
Mr. MacShane: From 1993–2004 the total cost of the regular budget of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), based in The Hague, was approximately US $830 million.
The regular budget is financed through assessed contributions, in line with an agreed UN scale, paid by all members of the United Nations. We estimate that the United Kingdom's contribution has averaged around 6.5 per cent., giving us a total bill to date of around US $54 million. In both 2004 and 2005 our contribution came to £5.8 million.
Iraq
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ballot papers for the Iraqi election will be (a) printed and (b) issued; what arrangements have been put in place to ensure that surplus ballot papers are not used and counted; what arrangements are in place to ensure that there is no (i) multiple voting by individuals and (ii)voting by individuals in place of dead or absentee Iraqis; and if he will make a statement. [207221]
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Mr. Mullin: The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) printed 59 million ballot papers for the national and provincial elections. The total number of ballot papers allocated to a polling station was determined by the voter register. A small number of surplus ballots were provided to account for spoilt ballots. The IECI ensured that ballot papers were under observation throughout the process, including putting the ballots in tamper evident bags during transit to the tally centre.
On polling day, voters were required to present identification and were checked against the voter register before entering the polling station and collecting a ballot paper. Once their vote was cast, their finger was marked with indelible ink.
Before the election took place the voter register was presented for challenges. 4,500 deceased voters had already been removed at an earlier stage. Any that were identified during the challenge period were marked as ineligible.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that (a) democratic political parties and (b) trade unionists in southern Iraq are protected from terrorists. [210828]
Mr. MacShane: The Iraqi Security Forces and the Multi-National Force, mandated under UN Security Council Resolution 1546, work together to provide security in Iraq, including protection against terrorist attacks. Political parties and trade unionists benefit from the protection provided but there is no special security provision for them. A comprehensive security plan was drawn up for the elections on 30 January. Prime Minister Allawi stated on 30 January that despite the attacks on some polling stations, the security plan for the elections had been a success.
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the measures his Department has taken to support polling for Iraqi expatriates in the forthcoming Iraqi elections (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in dependent territories; how many eligible electors his Department estimates there to be; and what security measures have been brought in. [211425]
Mr. Mullin: Out of Country Voting (OCV) for the Iraqi elections was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Voting took place in 14 countries including the UK but not in any of our Overseas Territories. Polling centres were established in London, Manchester and Glasgow. Initial figures suggest that almost 29,000 Iraqis voted in the UK.
HMG did not have a direct role, but British officials met regularly with IOM officials to offer advice and assistance, and the police worked with the IOM to ensure that appropriate security arrangements were in place. There were no significant security incidents at polling centres in the UK.
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government last had discussions with members
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and representatives of (i) the US Administration and (ii)the Iraqi interim authority concerning the detention of Amir Al-Saadi; and if he will make a statement; [212200]
(2) what discussions (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government had with members and representatives of (i) the US Administration and (ii) the Iraqi interim authority concerning the status under which Amir Al-Saadi is being detained; when this status was last (A)reviewed and (B) changed; and if he will make a statement; [212201]
(3) what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of (i) the US Administration and (ii) the Iraqi interim authority concerning the release of Amir Al-Saadi; and if he will make a statement. [212210]
Mr. MacShane: Our Embassy in Baghdad has raised Dr. Al-Saadi's case with the US authorities in Iraq and with senior members of the Iraqi Government. Dr. Al-Saadi was released by the US on 18 January 2005.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the role of Amir Al-Saadi in dealing with UN weapons inspectors since 1991; and if he will make a statement. [212209]
Mr. MacShane: The Government have made no formal assessment of the role of Dr. Al-Saadi in dealing with UN weapons inspectors.
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the full text of the Iraqi declaration on Weapons of Mass Destruction of 7 December 2002 to be published. [213105]
Mr. MacShane: The Iraqi declaration of 7 December 2002 was produced in response to UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and was submitted to the United Nations. It remains the property of the United Nations, and it is a matter for them to determine whether it should be made publicly available.
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iraqi Government concerning the release of Dr. Amir Al-Saadi. [213109]
Mr. Mullin: Our embassy in Baghdad has raised Dr.Al-Saadi's case with the US authorities in Iraq and with senior members of the Iraqi Government. Dr. Al-Saadi was released on 18 January 2005.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of (i) the Kurdistan Democratic party, (ii) the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and (iii) other Kurdish parties in northern Iraq concerning (1) the elections and (2) the territorial integrity of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [213238]
Mr. MacShane:
We regularly meet Kurdish representatives to discuss a range of political issues. We have consistently made clear that we believe the interests of all Iraqis are best served by maintaining the territorial
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unity of Iraq and by participating in the political transition process laid out in UN Security Council Resolution 1546.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of (i) the Turkoman community and (ii) the Turkoman Front on (A) the coalition plans for the future of Iraq, (B) the elections in Iraq and (C) the territorial integrity of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [213239]
Mr. MacShane: We regularly meet Turkoman representatives to discuss a range of political issues. We have consistently made clear that we believe the interests of all Iraqis are best served by maintaining the territorial unity of Iraq and by participating in the political transition process laid out in UN Security Council Resolution 1546. The issue of federalism is a matter for Iraqi's to address once the Transitional National Assembly and Government are in place, in the process of drafting a new constitution, which will be put to a popular referendum in October 2005.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of General Ilker Basbug's statement on 26 January concerning the impact of Kurdish migration to Kirkuk on the stability of the region; and if he will make a statement. [213242]
Mr. MacShane: The UK Government are aware of Turkish concerns about the demographic balance in Kirkuk, but have made clear that this is a matter for the Transitional National Assembly to address as outlined in the Transitional Administrative Law.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of (i) the Turkish Government and (ii) the Turkish armed forces concerning the elections in Iraq; what concerns were raised during these discussions; and if he will make a statement. [213243]
Mr. MacShane: Under the UK/Turkey 2004 Prime-Ministerial Summit Action Plan the Governments of the UK and Turkey agreed to set up a strategic dialogue on Iraq in order to promote our shared objective of establishing a stable, prosperous and democratic Iraq. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Iraq with the Turkish Foreign Minister a number of times in 2004, and most recently the Turkish special representative to Iraq, ambassador Osman Koruturk, visited the UK on 26 January and met with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean. Ambassador Koruturk reiterated Turkey's support for the political process in Iraq and the timing of elections. There was also discussion over how to promote greater involvement of all Iraqis in the political process and over the final status of Kirkuk.
The Government also maintain a close dialogue with the Turkish armed forces. The Head of the Turkish General Staff, General Ozkok, visited the UK on
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10 January and met with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, UK Chief of Defence Staff, and various officials.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) officials in his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with members and representatives of (i) the US Administration, (ii) the Iraqi interim authority, (iii) the Government of Turkey and (iv) the Government of Israel concerning the territorial integrity of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [213245]
Mr. MacShane: In all our discussions with our international partners the UK has consistently made clear its support for the preservation of the territorial integrity of Iraq.
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what latest estimate of civilian casualties he has received from the Iraqi Ministry of Health. [213492]
Mr. Mullin: The Iraqi Ministry of Health released a statement on 28 January. It stated that records from some 180 hospitals show that:
Casualties of car bombs and other clearly identifiable terrorist attacks are recorded as being caused by terrorist incidents. All other casualties are recorded as military action. The casualties may include insurgents, civilians, and Iraqi police, who are treated in Ministry of Health hospitals. The casualties may have been killed or injured by terrorist or coalition forces. Coalition forces include Iraqi police, Iraqi security forces, and the multi-national forces".
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations have taken place into allegations of misappropriation of oil during the period of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. [214146]
Mr. MacShane [holding answer 4 February 2005]: United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 1483) of 22 May 2003 established the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) to ensure the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) was used in a transparent manner for the purposes set out in UNSCR 1483. The IAMB consists of members of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the IMF, the United Nations and World Bank and, from 5 March 2004, representatives of the Iraqi administration.
The IAMB approved the appointment of independent accountants, KPMG, to audit the DFI and Iraq's oil export sales. KPMG produced two audit reports covering Coalition Provisional Authority management of the DFI from 22 May 2003 to 28 June 2004. Both audit reports conclude that, with the exception of smuggling,
the DFI Statement of Cash Receipts and Payment presents fairly, in all material respects, the receipts and payments of the DFI".
The IAMB report recognises that
IAMB audit reports are available on the IAMB website at www.iamb.info.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the next stage of the Volker Inquiry into the oil for food scandal in Iraq to report. [214147]
Mr. MacShane [holding answer 4 February 2005]: The Independent Inquiry Committee established to investigate allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the operation of the Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme released an interim report on 3 February 2005. The Independent Inquiry Committee is expected to publish a further report, not due for at least a few months.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the British embassy in (a) Damascus and (b) Tehran has made of (i) the reaction of the regimes in (A) Syria and (B) Iran to the recent elections in Iraq and (ii) the implication for relations between each country and Iraq in the future. [214149]
Mr. Straw [holding answer 4 February 2005]: There has been no official response from the Syrian Government following the elections in Iraq. Prior to the elections, the Syrian Government supported the principle of holding elections but were concerned that the conditions were not ripe because many Iraqis were unlikely to participate.
Syria supported the development of security and reconstruction in Iraq at the Sharm el-Sheik meeting in October 2004. However, Iraq remains concerned that insurgents and former Iraqi regime elements continue to operate from Syria; and Syria is keen to see the Multi-National Force withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible.
Iran has welcomed the elections in Iraq. We understand that Iran's Foreign Minister, Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, has sent a message to Iraq's interim Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, calling it a successful and lively election and an important step towards creating a democratic infrastructure in Iraq. He expressed hope that the election would strengthen relations between Iran and Iraq.
It is clear to us that a constructive relationship between Iran and Iraq would benefit the stability and security of the region. We hope Iran's actions will reflect the commitment made by its government spokesman that it would
We also hope that following the elections in Iraq there will be a deepening of relations between Iraq and its neighbours.
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