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4 Dec 2006 : Column 74W—continued
Maldives
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make representations to the Maldives authorities about the policing of peaceful protests; and if she will make a statement. [103572]
Dr. Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield(Mr. McCartney), the Minister for Trade, gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 21 November 2006, Official Report, columns 61-62W.
Marie-Thérèse Nlandu Mpolo-Nene
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports her Department has received on the treatment of Marie-Thérèse Nlandu Mpolo-Nene by the Congolese authorities. [107401]
Mr. McCartney: We are concerned by the continued detention of Marie Thérèse Nlandu since her arreston charges of illegal possession of weapons on21 November and are actively seeking more information on her detention and treatment. Our ambassador in Kinshasa has spoken to the Interior Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo and advisers to President Kabila regarding her detention. We have already outlined our concerns over allegations that Mrs. Nlandu’s human rights, particularly her access to legal representation, have not been respected. We understand that European partners have also raised their concerns.
Middle East
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of (a) Palestinians and (b) Israelis who have died since September 2006 as a result of the conflict in the middle east. [103628]
Dr. Howells: Between 1 September and 15 November, we have reports that 191 Palestinians and two Israelis were killed in conflict-related violence.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether her Department has held discussions in the EU on (a) construction of the wall in the Palestine village of Al-Walajah and (b) making representations to the Israeli Government. [107507]
Dr. Howells: We have held no discussions inthe EU on the construction of the barrier around Al-Walajah. We remain concerned at the routing of the barrier around Al-Walajah, just as we are concerned about the routing of the barrier elsewhere in the west bank. We, along with the EU, have stressed to the Israeli Government that the barrier should be built on or behind the green line, not on occupied territory.
NATO
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her policy is on the future role of NATO; and if she will make a statement. [103086]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 27 November 2006, Official Report, column 477W to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd).
Non-proliferation Conferences
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which international conferences relating to non-proliferation (a) the UK and (b) the European Community has participated in the Caribbean since 2001. [107193]
Dr. Howells: The UK has not participated in any major international conferences in the Caribbean relating to non-proliferation since 2001. However, UK officials have attended a number of regional meetings, seminars and workshops.
We have consulted officials of the European Commission and the European Council Secretariat and they have informed us that they are not aware of any EU official representation at any conferences in the Caribbean relating to non-proliferation since 2001.
Non-proliferation Treaty
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2006, Official Report, column 63W, on the non-proliferation treaty, if she will make it her policy to support Dr. Hans Blix’s proposals calling for a world summit to discuss nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction as outlined in the report Weapons of Terror; and if she will make a statement. [106649]
Dr. Howells: While there is always scope to consider improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of multilateral forums, 2006 has seen significant improvements in the disarmament machinery. The UN Disarmament Commission met for the first time since 2003 and the Conference on Disarmament has seen some of the most constructive dialogue in recent years. More effort should be placed on encouraging these recent, positive developments. It is unclear what a further summit could add and whether there would be more likelihood of agreed language on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues than was seen during the 2005 UN Millennium Review Summit or the 2005 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2006, Official Report, column 63W, on the non-proliferation treaty, what multilateral initiatives the Government are pursuing to achieve (a) mutual, (b) balanced and (c) reliable reductions in nuclear weapons; and if she will make a statement. [106650]
Dr. Howells: Our current priority is to push for negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty, without pre-conditions, at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. We view this as the next appropriate step towards achieving the goal of nuclear disarmament. We continue to press for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, ratified by the UK in 1998. In addition to work on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and current preparations for the next NPT review cycle, we continue to participate actively in the Norwegian-led Seven Country Initiative on disarmament and non-proliferation. Through our engagement with this initiative, we hope to broaden understanding of positions on disarmament and non-proliferation and look for areas of consensus that will further the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2006, Official Report, column 63W, on the non-proliferation treaty, if she will make it her policy (a) to support and (b) to advance the draft Nuclear Weapons Convention which was deposited with the United Nations several years ago; and if she will make a statement. [106651]
Dr. Howells: The Government consider the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the framework for nuclear disarmament. The UK has an excellent record in implementing its disarmament obligations under Article VI of the NPT and, in this regard, continues to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. The Government do not support any new process, including a Nuclear Weapons Convention, which could risk cutting across the existing NPT regime.
Occupied Territories
Dr. Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records are kept by the British consulate-general in Jerusalem on the refusal of visa permits to British nationals wishing to visit the Occupied Territories. [107615]
Dr. Howells: When a British national informs the consulate-general in Jerusalem that they have been refused entry to Israel or the Occupied Territories a record is kept on file in the consular section. The Israeli authorities do not inform the consulate-general when a British national is refused entry into Israel or the Occupied Territories.
Poppy Eradication
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2006, to question Ref 106094, on poppy eradication, what proportion of the £21.25 million paid to the Afghan Government has been received by farmers. [107241]
Dr. Howells: The Afghan Interim Administration said that farmers would be paid US$1,250 per hectare for eradicated crops. We understand from the Afghan authorities that an estimated total of 17,000 hectares of poppy was eradicated under the 2002 programme.It was the responsibility of the Afghan Interim Administration to implement the programme and to make payments to farmers.
Rwanda
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the investigation by the Rwandan Government into France’s relationship with Juvénal Habyarimana’s regime in Rwanda. [107229]
Mr. McCartney: The Rwandan Government have set up an independent commission to examine France’s role in the genocide of 1994. As the report of the commission has not yet been published, it is too early to comment on the findings and conclusions of the commission.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) the effect of issuing arrest warrants for nine associates of the Rwandan President and (b) the breaking of diplomatic ties with France on Rwandan relations with (i) the UK, (ii) France, (iii) other EU member states and (iv) the African Union. [107240]
Mr. McCartney: French judicial authorities have called for the issue of arrest warrants for nine associates of President Kagame. The French Government have said that this is an independent legal investigation and that they do not wish it to affect diplomatic relations. However, the Rwandan Government have decided to sever diplomatic tieswith France. The French Government have voiced disappointment at Rwanda’s decision.
Belgium is the only EU member state to comment publicly, maintaining that this would not change Belgium’s bilateral relationship with Rwanda, as it is a French legal matter. The African Union has not commented.
We do not expect the issue of arrest warrants to affect the UK’s relationship with Rwanda. These warrants are a matter between the French judiciary and the Rwandan Government. We hope that diplomatic relations between France and Rwanda will soon be re-established.
The UK has built a close relationship with Rwanda over the past 10 years. The UK is now a major donor to Rwanda. UK bilateral development assistance is around £46 million per year.
Six Party Talks
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the ongoing negotiations between China, the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; and when she expects the Six Party Talks to resume. [107103]
Mr. McCartney: The Chinese, US and North Korean Six Party Talks representatives held trilateral talks in Beijing on 26 November. China reaffirmed its desire to see the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and called on all sides to use the opportunity of these meetings to deepen mutual understanding and create conditions for a return to the talks. The date of the talks is still under negotiation.
The US is focusing on laying the groundwork fora productive next round of talks, including making concrete steps toward implementation of the September 2005 Joint Statement.
Somalia
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the proposal by the African Union Peace and Security Council to the United Nations Security Council which seeks to deploy a training and protection mission for the Somalia transitional federal institutions; what discussions she has had with (a) the British ambassador to the United Nations and (b) others on the proposal; whether she supports the proposal; and what steps she is taking to promote peace and stability in Somalia. [106741]
Mr. McCartney: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with the support of the African Union and the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, has proposed to the United Nations a peace support operation. The UK Mission to the United Nations is considering with partners on the Security Council how this might contribute to peace and stability in Somalia and encourage a resumption of dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government and the Union of Islamic Courts. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have discussed the situation with partners and regional interlocutors. Our mission in New York and our posts in the region are working actively to avert further conflict.
Sri Lanka
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the breakdown of peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers in Geneva on the future stability of Sri Lanka; what assessment she has made of the factors which led to the breakdown; and what steps the Government are taking to assist the peace process in Sri Lanka. [106737]
Dr. Howells:
The failure of the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to make progress on the peace process in Geneva in October is a missed opportunity. While both sides recommitted themselves to the Ceasefire Agreement, hostilities continue and innocent civilians are too often the victims of the conflict. This continuing loss of life is tragic and unnecessary. We
urge both sides to cease hostilities and to demonstrate their respect for the Ceasefire Agreement by their actions.
We understand that the demand of the LTTE for the re-opening of the A9 road, closed by the Sri Lankan Government during recent hostilities, was a block to progress on this occasion. The A9 is the main north-south route on the island.
We regularly discuss the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka, and when we are able to, with political representatives of the LTTE. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy), accompanied by a senior official of the Northern Ireland Office, visited Sri Lanka from 14-16 November to talk with participants in the peace process, including the Sri Lankan Government, and the LTTE about the UK’s experiences with Northern Ireland which we hope will be of help to Sri Lankans in the pursuit of peace.
We continue to urge the parties to the conflict to create an atmosphere for constructive discussions to further the peace process. Negotiation is the only viable route to a sustainable resolution of the conflict. We maintain our close contact with and full support for the Norwegian Government and their facilitation of the peace process.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received from the British-Tamil community on the conflict in Sri Lanka. [106870]
Dr. Howells: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 27 November 2006, Official Report, column 482W.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her European counterparts on securing a peaceful settlement in Sri Lanka. [106871]
Dr. Howells: As one of the Tokyo co-chairs, the EU has an important part to play in assisting Norway in its role as facilitator of the peace process. The EU has encouraged the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to meet their obligations under the Ceasefire Agreement and to create an atmosphere for constructive discussions to further the peace process. In Brussels and Colombo, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have discussed the Sri Lankan conflict with EU partners and jointly with them made clear to both parties to the conflict that the only viable way to a peaceful resolution of the conflict is for both sides to negotiate, with a view to working constructively towards a settlement that addresses the grievances and legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent statements by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on the ceasefire in Sri Lanka. [107105]
Dr. Howells: We do not agree with the view expressed in the recent statement by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabhakaran, that the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement “has become defunct”. We call on both sides to fulfil their existing commitments as restated by them in Geneva in October, to uphold the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement and to demonstrate this by their actions. We fully support the work of Norwegian facilitators to achieve peace in Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwean Beef
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with other Governments on targeted sanctions on Zimbabwean beef. [107108]
Mr. McCartney: There are no targeted sanctions on Zimbabwean beef, or indeed any other form of economic sanctions. The EU's Common Position, agreed on 18 February 2002 and extended annually since then, consists of an arms embargo and a travel ban and assets freeze on Mugabe and 125 people who have been involved in activities which seriously undermine democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
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