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4 Jun 2007 : Column 237W—continued
International Conferences: Robert Mugabe
Mr. Hague:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK plans to oppose the invitation of President Mugabe of
Zimbabwe to the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon in 2007; and if she will make a statement. [137472]
Margaret Beckett: We have made our views on Zimbabwean representation at the summit clear to our EU partners. We are looking to the presidency for a solution on Zimbabwean attendance that is consistent with the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe.
Iran
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007, Official Report, column 84W, on Iran, whether any changes to the flexibility about the modalities for opening negotiations were proposed by (a) Mr. Javier Solana and (b) Mr. Ali Larijani during their meetings of 25 and 26 April 2007; and if she will make a statement. [136490]
Margaret Beckett: The UN Security Council has set out on behalf of the international community its requirements of Iran. These requirements are not negotiable. However, the UK, together with their partners in the “E3+3” (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United States and the High Representative of the European Union), remain willing to explore flexibly the modalities of how to begin discussions with Iran on the basis of the established position of “suspension for suspension”. This would involve Iran suspending its enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, as required by the UN Security Council, while the Security Council would suspend implementation of measures adopted under Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747.
In their meeting on 25 April, Dr. Solana explored what flexibility might be available in terms of the process leading up to negotiations, but Dr. Larijani was not able to respond.
Iran: Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government have taken to prevent specialised teaching or training of Iranian nationals in disciplines which would contribute to Iran’s sensitive nuclear activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems in accordance with Article 6 of the EU Council Common Position 2007/140/CFSP. [134861]
Margaret Beckett: A voluntary vetting scheme is currently in place which encourages universities to refer post-graduate students planning to study subjects of concern, including disciplines which could contribute to Iran's proliferation sensitive nuclear activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems, to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for counter-proliferation advice. In line with Article 6 of Common Position 2007/140 Common Foreign and Security Policy, we will take the necessary measures to prevent such teaching or training by introducing a mandatory vetting scheme in advance of the visa application stage. Technical work is continuing with a view to introducing this mandatory scheme at the earliest opportunity.
Iran: Sanctions
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the European Union to implement the call by the UN Security Council in its Resolution 1747 on 24 March for all states and international financial institutions not to enter into new commitments for grants, financial assistance and concessional loans to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran except for humanitarian and developmental purposes; and if she will make a statement. [136495]
Margaret Beckett: The EU introduced a prohibition on member states entering into new commitments for grants, financial assistance and concessional loans to the Government of Iran, including through their participation in international financial institutions, except for humanitarian and developmental purposes, in Common Position 2007/246/ Common Foreign and Security Policy adopted on 23 April.
Iran: Territorial Waters
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions officials from her Department have made representations to the government of Iran calling for the return of the Royal Navy boats and equipment seized by Iran; and what reasons have been given by the government of Iran for not doing so. [134863]
Margaret Beckett: Officials have raised the matter of Royal Navy boats and equipment illegally seized and retained by Iran with the Government of Iran on a number of occasions, most recently in May with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Iran has not provided a reasonable explanation of why they have not returned the boats and equipment taken in 2004 and 2007.
Iran: Travel Restrictions
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the European Union is implementing a full travel ban on (a) the persons designated under UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747 and (b) the individuals designated under Council Decision 2007/242/EC of 23 April; and if she will make a statement. [134860]
Margaret Beckett: The EU is implementing a full travel ban on the individuals designated in UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007) and the additional persons who meet the UN criteria listed in Council Decision 2007/242/EC. A series of limited exemptions to the travel ban are listed in Article IV of Common Position 2007/140/Common Foreign and Security Policy. These include permission to permit travel in cases of urgent humanitarian need or where there is a necessity to meet the objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1737 (2006), including where Article XV of the International Atomic Energy Agency Statute is engaged.
Iraq: Asylum
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the proposed tripartite talks on Iraq refugees between the EU, Syria and Iraq are to take place; and what the UK involvement will be. [136496]
Margaret Beckett: We welcome Commissioner Michel’s proposal to hold technical level tripartite talks on Iraqi refugees. We understand the proposed talks will be between the Commission and the Governments of Iraq and Syria, but the UK stands ready to assist if required. The date of the talks is still to be confirmed.
Israel: Political Prisoners
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Government of Israel on the seizure of the Palestinian Education Minister and elected parliamentarians. [140570]
Dr. Howells: We are concerned by the arrest of the Hamas members on 23 May. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised our concerns with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 28 May. We have called for all those detained to be either released or subject to the due legal process.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the seizure by Israel of the Palestinian Education Minister and elected parliamentarians on the prospects for peace in the Middle East. [140571]
Dr. Howells: We are concerned by the arrest of the Hamas members on 23 May. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised our concerns with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 28 May. We have called for all those detained to be either released or subject to the due legal process.
We are very concerned by the on-going violence that is hindering current progress on the peace process. We are concerned by the situation inside Gaza for Palestinian civilians and the situation in Sderot. We welcome Palestinian President Abbas’ efforts to restore calm and hope that both sides can exercise restraint. Continuing violence in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories underlines the need for the current on-going political processes. We welcome the fortnightly discussions between Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas as well as US Secretary of State Rice’s recent efforts and those of the Arab League.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the arrest by Israel and subsequent release of Nasser al Shaer in 2006; and if she will make a statement. [140572]
Dr. Howells:
Nasser al Shaer was first arrested in June 2006 while serving as deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister in the Hamas Government. He was released later in September 2006. On 23 May, he was arrested with two Hamas Palestinian Legislative Council members. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised
our concerns with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 28 May. We have called for all those detained to be either released or subject to the due legal process.
Italy
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings she has had with the Italian foreign minister in the last 12 months; and what the agenda was of each such meeting. [139063]
Mr. Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I meet Italian counterparts on a regular basis, including at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels, and at other international meetings. Discussions cover a wide range of international issues.
Japan: Nuclear Power
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether she discussed civil nuclear power during her recent visit to Japan; and what meetings she had during the visit. [140564]
Mr. McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Japan on 22 May. She did not discuss civil nuclear power during her visit.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had bilaterals with Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, Foreign Minister Aso, and Prime Minister Abe's climate change advisor Koike. She also had lunch with leading Japanese opinion formers, including politicians and representatives from the private sector, and gave a key-note speech at a climate change conference organised with Japanese business.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she expects to answer the letter of 19 March from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Ms R. O'Brien. [137973]
Margaret Beckett: A reply was sent on 2 May. I apologise for the delay in replying to my right hon. Friend.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she will answer the letter to her dated 5 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr L. W. Gordon. [138723]
Margaret Beckett: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 16 May 2007.
Mercenaries
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the regulation of private military security companies. [139586]
Dr. Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 12 March 2007, Official Report, column 93W.
Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken in their role as an observer to the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force; and what assessment she has made of progress by the body in combating the financing of terrorism. [137094]
Margaret Beckett: The UK supports the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force's (MENAFATF) objective of raising standards in combating the financing of terrorism in the middle east/north Africa region. Government representatives have attended all five plenary meetings to date in an observer capacity. We are discussing with the MENAFATF Secretariat the possibility of UK technical assistance to the organisation and its member states in areas of common interest.
We assess that MENAFATF has made an encouraging start. It is continuing to develop. It has produced guidance papers for its members on the regulation of cash couriers and of charities. It is co-operating with other regional bodies such as the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering on the delivery of technical assistance to raise standards in countering the financing of terrorism. The UK welcomes this proactive approach and hopes that MENAFATF will continue to play a positive role in the international effort to tackle terrorist financing.
Middle East: Peace Negotiations
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the recent US proposals for the middle east peace process which have been presented to the government of Israel and the Palestinian leadership; and what the role of the Government is in the next stage of the process. [137103]
Margaret Beckett: The US presented Israel and the Palestinians with a set of proposals according to which Israel would improve freedom of movement for Palestinians within and between the west bank and Gaza and the Palestinians would act to prevent attacks by militants against Israel. The proposal has so far been welcomed by Palestinian President Abbas and Palestine Liberation Organisation Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat, but dismissed by the National Unity government. The Israeli government is considering the proposal.
It is essential that progress is made on movement and access in, and between, the west bank and Gaza and security sector transformation to ensure a viable future Palestinian state. This requires the active engagement of both parties. In the meantime, we will continue to call upon both parties to implement their commitments under the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access and support US Security Coordinator General Dayton's plans on security sector transformation.
National League for Democracy
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits (a) the British ambassador and (b) other representatives of the British Government made to the head office of the National League for Democracy in the last 12 months. [140163]
Mr. McCartney: Our ambassador in Rangoon and his staff have regular contact with the National League for Democracy (NLD), both at the NLD’s headquarters and elsewhere.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to develop the UK’s role within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. [139059]
Mr. McCartney: The UK is a leading member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and strongly supports its globally recognised programme of economic and structural work. This work is of major benefit to the OECD’s 30 members, but also to a growing number of developing and emerging economies with which the organisation has outreach programmes. The OECD has a central role in promoting the benefits of globalisation—and sharing best practice in mitigating the downside risks—drawing on its policy analysis, statistics, peer review and international codes of conduct. This is consistent with UK efforts to engage with major emerging economies on global issues such as climate and energy security.
At the 15-16 May OECD Annual Ministerial Meeting in Paris, member states agreed to open accession talks with Chile, Estonia, Israel, Slovenia and Russia. The UK also welcomed a programme of enhanced engagement and possible future membership with emerging economies, particularly Brazil, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa. The UK has stressed that countries acceding to the OECD must meet strict criteria in order to safeguard the organisation’s core values including market-based democracy, rule of law and good governance.
Pakistan: Religious Freedom
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Government of Pakistan on the proposed Apostasy Bill in that country. [139614]
Dr. Howells: We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan, including those pertaining to legislation affecting religious minorities in Pakistan. Officials from our high commission in Islamabad will continue to monitor the progress of the draft Apostasy Bill. Together with our EU partners, we will continue to encourage Pakistan to treat all citizens fairly in the interests of equality.
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