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Jordan

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the security situation in Jordan. [43366]

Dr. Howells: We assess that there is a high threat from terrorism in Jordan. Attacks could be indiscriminate and happen at any time and in any place. Further information about the security situation can be foundon the travel advice pages of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at http://www.fco.gov.uk.

Nigeria

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Nigerian government on its decision to remove homeless people from Lagos and Abuja; and if he will make a statement. [41528]

Ian Pearson: The relocation of people and property in Abuja is part of a long-running policy of city structure planning and affects both residents and businesses in all levels of society. The Nigerian Minister for the Federal Capital Territory has assured us that only structures built without planning permission and valid land allocation have been affected, that occupants and property owners are given notification well in advance, and that alternative arrangements are being made for communities affected including the offer of plots of land at subsidised rates. We have raised this issue with the Nigerian Government to ensure that humanitarian concerns are being taken into account. The Department for International Development Nigeria Office is in contact with the Nigerian authorities about possible support on these issues.

In Lagos, civil servants have been moved out of government housing. This is a result of a change in the remuneration package for Nigerian civil servants, as part of a wider programme of civil service reform. The entitlement to many non-monetary allowances such as free housing and vehicles has been replaced by higher salaries. We have not made representations on these evictions.

Palestine

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the security situation in Gaza. [43365]

Dr. Howells: We remain concerned at the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and continue to call upon Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to take all the necessary steps to take full control of security in the area. Some progress has been made but more needs to be done. The PA is working closely with the US Security Co-ordinator, General Dayton, in order to improve its effectiveness on security. The EU are working with the PA to expand the current EU Police Support mission to increase the operational capacity of the Palestinian police force.
 
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On 6 January, we updated our travel advice, available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk, stating that we advise against all travel to the Gaza Strip due to the current security situation and urge all British nationals who do not have continuous and professional close security protection to leave Gaza. Our travel advice is kept under constant review.

Religious Freedom Panel

Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to convene a meeting of the Religious Freedom Panel; and if he will make a statement. [42809]

Ian Pearson: We will be contacting members of the panel this month to seek suggestions on possible themes for discussion and guest speakers with a view to convening a meeting in March.

Wherever possible, we aim to work with officials, religious leaders and non- governmental organisations (NGOs) at both an international and local level to promote mutual understanding and tolerance. While we have working contacts with many faith groups and NGOs, we value the breadth that the Freedom of Religion Panel can offer and look forward to a meeting in the near future.

Promotion of human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion, is at the heart of our foreign policy. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.

We take every appropriate opportunity, including with our EU partners, to urge states to pursue laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect and to protect religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks. We also regularly raise specific cases of religious persecution with the Governments concerned.

Renditions

Mr. Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have refused a request by the United States for the rendition through the United Kingdom of (a) Mohammed Sadeek Odeh and (b) Mohammed Rashed Dauod al-Owhali since 1997. [43594]

Dr. Howells: We have found no evidence that the Government have refused a request from the United States for the rendition of Mohammed Sadeek Odeh or Mohammed Rashed Daoud al-Owhali since 1997.

Somalia

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the development of a democratic government in Somalia. [24294]

Ian Pearson: With international partners we supported the Somali National Reconciliation process in Nairobi, which led to the return of the Transitional Federal Government and Parliament to Somalia in June
 
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2005. We continue to urge members of the Transitional Federal Government and Parliament in Jowhar and Mogadishu to reconcile their differences and create the conditions for effective, inclusive government, supervised by the Transitional Federal Parliament.

The Transitional Federal Charter envisages the development of a new constitution to be followed by democratic elections in five years. We and international partners are committed to supporting this process.

Sudan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the conduct of the Hamdab (Merowe) dam project, Sudan; and if he will make representations to the Chinese Government about the role of Chinese contractors in restricting traditional access to water supplies. [40460]

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received no representations about the Merowe dam project but our embassy in Khartoum is following the matter closely. It is for the Government of Sudan to set the terms of contracts for infrastructure in its territory, and to ensure that these terms are complied with. Our ambassador discussed the dam project with the Governor of River Nile State, where the dam is located, on his visit to the area in December 2005 and pressed the Sudanese Government to work closely with those communities affected by the project and ensure that their rights and interests are respected. The embassy will continue to raise the consequences of the dam project with the Government of Sudan, and stress the importance of ensuring that such projects, and those implementing them, do not violate the local population's rights.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the co-operation of the Government of Sudan with the deployment of the African Union force in Darfur; [40497]

(2) what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan on expediting the clearance, movement and access throughout Darfur of equipment and personnel needed by the African Union force. [40498]

Ian Pearson: Relevant UN Security Council Resolutions require all parties to the conflict in Darfur to co-operate fully with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). We are currently pressing the African Union (AU) and the Government of Sudan to sign a Status of Mission Agreement, which will provide a clear legal basis for AMIS, and for other administrative barriers on issues such as customs clearance or the imposition of curfews to be resolved as soon as possible.

However, co-operation by the Government of Sudan has been inconsistent and, at times, detrimental to the effective deployment of AMIS. We regularly discuss this with the AU and any problems are pursued with the Government of Sudan directly by Ministers and via our embassy in Khartoum.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the members of the UN
 
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Security Council regarding greater co-operation between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union to promote stability and security in Darfur; [40502]

(2) what discussions he has had with the members of the UN Security Council regarding the possible role of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in the long-term stability of Darfur. [40503]

Ian Pearson: We regularly discuss such issues with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and with members of the UN Security Council. The DPKO is responsible for the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) which liaises closely with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). UNMIS and the African Union (AU) maintain close and regular contact and have undertaken joint activities on the ground in Darfur, such as training in policing and operational planning. They have also agreed that AU personnel will provide escorts for UNMIS human rights observers throughout Darfur. Additionally, the DPKO runs the UN Assistance Cell to the AU based in Addis Ababa, which helps support the AU in planning and providing technical advice for AMIS and works closely with other partners to facilitate the AU Commission's efforts to secure required resources and other support needs for AMIS. We will continue to encourage both the DPKO and the AU to co-operate closely to promote stability and security in Darfur.

Mr. Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether at the meeting of the General Affairs Council of the EU on 21 and 22 November 2005 he proposed supplying tactical lift helicopters to the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur; [42182]

(2) whether at the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council on 21 and 22 November 2005 he proposed assisting the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur by providing it with output from satellite surveillance; [42183]

(3) whether at the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council on 21 and 22 November 2005 he proposed providing intelligence from electronic interception to the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur. [42184]

Ian Pearson: The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the EU on 21 and 22 November 2005 discussed the EU's Strategy for Africa in detail, including the need for increased support for peace and security throughout the continent: there was no specific discussion on Sudan.

The UK and other international partners recently participated in a joint assessment mission with the African Union (AU) to examine the effectiveness of the AU Mission in Sudan. The recommendations and conclusions of this report were discussed by the AU at their Political and Security Council meeting on 12 January. We have made clear that we stand ready to help the AU implement the recommendations of this report and improve the effectiveness of the mission.
 
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