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7 Jun 2005 : Column 551W—continued
Kosovo
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the views the United Kingdom will advance at the forthcoming United Nations conference on the future status of Kosovo. [1236]
Mr. Douglas Alexander [holding answer 6 June 2005]: There are no plans for a forthcoming United Nations conference on Kosovo.
Sudan
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [1868]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Defence discussed the provision of NATO and EU support to the African Union (AU) mission in Darfur, ahead of the 26 May AU donor conference, in the margins of the 23 May General Affairs and External Relations Council. Our joint FCO-DFID Sudan Unit holds regular discussions on Darfur with the Ministry of Defence and other Whitehall Departments.
We remain gravely concerned about the situation in Darfur. While direct clashes between the Government and the rebel groups have lessened in recent months, banditry and general insecurity continue to hamper the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We fully support
7 Jun 2005 : Column 552W
the AU mission in Darfur and announced a further contribution of £6.6 million at a donors' conference in Addis Ababa on 26 May, bringing our total contribution to that mission to over £20 million. In addition, we have contributed £73.7 million since September 2003 to humanitarian relief in Darfur. We welcome the announcement that peace talks between the Government of Sudan and the Darfur rebel groups will reconvene in Abuja on 10 June. A UK representative will attend and offer support to the African Union mediators.
United States
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the US Administration with regard to the proposed national security directive on space; and if he will make a statement. [946]
Mr. Straw: We have had no discussions with the US Administration on the proposed national security directive on space
Visas
Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stage the initial appeal against refusal for a settlement visa for Kean Antonio Robert Andrews, reference KGN 83103 has reached; and if he will make a statement. [2073]
Dr. Howells: UKvisas, the Department responsible for entry clearance matters arising overseas, sent a letter on this matter to my hon. Friend on 1 June 2005, in line with UKvisas' target response times.
Western Sahara
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for a referendum to be held on the future of the Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [2145]
Dr. Howells: The United Kingdom fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to find a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute which provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination.
We believe UN efforts to find a solution to the dispute should be maintained and continue to urge all parties to the dispute to engage constructively with the UN. There are no plans for a UN referendum to be held in the near future.