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21 Jun 2007 : Column 2206Wcontinued
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she expects the surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge to be (a) charged and (b) put on trial. [144481]
Dr. Howells: A Plenary Session in Phnom Penh of national and international judicial officers unanimously adopted The Internal Rules of Procedure for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia on 12 June. This significant step paves the way for the process of holding fair and transparent trials.
Judicial officers, in a joint statement on 13 June, stated that it was their understanding that co-prosecutors would shortly file their first introductory submission. Co- investigating judges can then begin the judicial process. Whilst there is no current timetable for the trial phase, we currently envisage the trial process starting in the first half of 2008. Both the Cambodian Government and the UN are aware of the urgency of starting these trials and are working hard to do this as soon as possible.
The UK will continue to follow developments closely in the coming months.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the progress of plans to replace NATOs KFOR mission in Kosovo with a European Union mission; what she expects the UKs (a) financial and (b) military contribution to that mission to be; and if she will make a statement. [144364]
Mr. Hoon: There are presently no plans to replace NATOs Kosovo Force with an EU mission. Following implementation of UN special envoy Ahtisaaris comprehensive proposals for Kosovos future status, it is envisaged that NATO will provide the international military presence in Kosovo. Separately, there will be a European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mission in the area of policing and rule of law.
An EU planning team is in place in Kosovo and is carrying out the necessary planning and preparations for the ESDP mission. But the UK expects to maintain its personnel contribution at or around that currently provided to the UN Mission in Kosovo (circa 80 personnel) and will contribute around 17 per cent. of the common costs of the ESDP mission from the Common Foreign and Security Policy budget.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of progress towards securing a new United Nations Security Council resolution on Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [144367]
Mr. Hoon: Intensive negotiations are continuing in the UN Security Council in New York. We are working to achieve a resolution paving the way for implementation of the Ahtisaari proposals as soon as possible.
On 18 June, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Kosovo at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Council confirmed its support for UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and reiterated its view that his comprehensive proposals provide the basis for the settlement of the Kosovo issue by a new resolution of the UN Security Council.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Cabinet Office on the target of 20 working days for replying to correspondence from hon. Members. [143317]
Margaret Beckett: Having checked with my officials I can confirm there is no record of discussions between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Cabinet Office regarding the target of 20 working days for replying to correspondence from hon. Members.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on recent progress of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. [144025]
Dr. Howells: The Arab Leagues re-endorsement of the 2002 Beirut Declaration at the Arab Summit in Riyadh is a welcome step. It offers the prospect of normal relations between Israel and the Arab world. The Arab League has a key role to play in promoting reconciliation between the Israelis and Palestinians and moving forward the peace process.
In its statement on 30 May, the Quartet (EU, US, UN and Russia) noted its positive meeting with the Arab League in Sharm al-Sheikh on May 4, and looked forward to continued engagement with the Arab states. It welcomed the intention of the Arab League to engage Israel on the 2002 Arab League initiative and Israeli receptiveness to such engagement. The Quartet encouraged continued and expanded Arab contacts with Israel, and Israeli action to address concerns raised in the April 18 Arab League Follow-up Committee meeting, including a cessation of settlement expansion and the removal of illegal outposts, as called for in the Roadmap.
Israeli Foreign Minister Livni met President Mubarak and the Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministers in Cairo on 10 May to discuss subsequent action. The Quartet principals agreed to meet in the region with members of the Arab League to follow up on the Arab Peace Initiative and efforts to advance the regional track.
We support the Arab Leagues engagement with the parties and welcome the meetings since the re-endorsement of the Arab League Initiative. We hope that this will create confidence between the parties to re-start negotiations.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the Moroccan initiative for autonomy for Western Sahara; and if she will make a statement. [143081]
Margaret Beckett: The UK regards the status of Western Sahara as undetermined, pending UN efforts to find a solution. To this end, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy to the Western Sahara, Peter Van Walsum, to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.
On 30 April the UN Security Council adopted UN Security Council Resolution 1754, which took note of Moroccos proposal presented to the UN Secretary-General on 11 April, and called for both sides to enter into negotiations without preconditions.
The UK welcomes the prospect of negotiations between Morocco, the Polisario and their neighbours to be hosted by the UN on 18-19 June. The UK continues to support the process.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she expects International Atomic Energy Agency monitors (a) to arrive in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and (b) to begin inspection of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor; and what recent discussions she has held with (i) the United States, (ii) South Korea, (iii) China, (iv) Russia and (v) Japan on methods of applying pressure to the DPRK regime to ensure the Yongbyon nuclear reactor is closed. [145097]
Dr. Howells: Following an invitation on 16 June from the Director-General of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Koreas (DPRK) General Department of Atomic Energy, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr ElBaradei, replied on 18 June, noting that an IAEA team, headed by Deputy Director-General for Safeguards, Mr Olli Heinonen, would visit Pyongyang in the week commencing 25 June.
I understand that the letter of invitation from the DPRK has asked for the IAEA delegation to visit Pyongyang to discuss the modalities for verification and monitoring by the IAEA of the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility.
Ensuring the closure of the Yongbyon reactor is an issue for discussion amongst members of the six party talks. Although the UK is not a member of the talks, we fully support the process and regularly keep in touch with partners, including through our embassies. We will continue to urge the DPRK to fulfil the commitments it has entered into under the February agreement, including the closure of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, as well as comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1718 and resume its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to widen international participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative; and if she will make a statement. [143778]
Margaret Beckett: The UK has been actively involved in outreach activities for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which now includes over 80 countries. We continue to use suitable bilateral or multilateral lobbying opportunities to encourage other countries to endorse the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles. For example, last year a UK Government team made a useful PSI outreach visit to Vietnam and in March, UK officials were involved in an Asia-Pacific PSI Outreach Forum organised in New Zealand.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she expects to write to the hon. Member for Thurrock about the visit to the UK by children from Palestine hosted by the charity Bethlehem Link; and if she will make a statement. [144643]
Dr. Howells: My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, replied on 15 June.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the operations of the (a) EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories and (b) EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah crossing point in light of recent events in Gaza; and if she will make a statement. [144359]
Dr. Howells: At the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg on 18 June, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to support the Palestinian Civilian Police through the resumption of the EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories and to resume the EU Border Assistance Mission Rafah. We support this.
We have received reports on the safety of officials at the Rafah crossing point, They have now been safely evacuated to Jerusalem.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the UK made towards the review of the Temporary International Mechanism; and if she will make a statement. [142779]
Margaret Beckett:
We have worked closely with the European Commission and the World Bank to draft terms of reference for the evaluation, and to ensure that the review examines the linkages between both the European Commission and the World Bank with respect to the Temporary International Mechanism.
Department for International Development officials in Jerusalem and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in Brussels have had a substantial engagement with the review teams and continue to work with them to ensure the final report is of a high quality. The final report is due to be presented at the end of the month.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) financial, (b) diplomatic, (c) military and (d) humanitarian support the Government gave the elected Palestinian Hamas-led government in the last six months; and if she will make a statement. [145013]
Dr. Howells: We did not provide any financial, diplomatic, military and humanitarian support to the Hamas-led government.
We have continued to provide support to the Palestinian people. The EU set up the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) in 2006, which provided support directly to the Palestinian people, bypassing the Hamas led government. This has been extended for a further three months until September. The EU gave €680 million to the Palestinians in 2006, more than in any previous year. €200 million of this was transferred through the UK-inspired TIM. The UK has also provided £15 million through the TIM. This has supported Palestinian front line health services, allowances for government workers and the operation, maintenance and repair of water, sanitation and electricity services in Gaza and the West Bank
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) financial, (b) diplomatic, (c) military and (d) humanitarian support the Government is providing to the Palestinian Fatah movement; and if she will make a statement. [145016]
Dr. Howells: We have provided no financial, diplomatic, military or humanitarian support to Fatah. We have provided some limited media training for Palestinian political parties including Fatah.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the dissolution of the Palestinian unity government and the formation of a new government on plans for Palestinian security sector transformation; and if she will make a statement. [144358]
Dr. Howells: We regret the announcement that the National Unity Government (NUG) has been dissolved, but understand that Hamas recent actions left Palestinian President Abbas with few alternatives. We, along with the EU and Quartet (EU, US, UN and Russia), support President Abbas decision to dissolve the NUG and declare a state of emergency.
We look forward to working with Prime Minister Fayyad and his ministerial team for the benefit of all Palestinians. Prime Minister Fayyad has said his priorities are restoring security and improving the
economic and humanitarian situationwe share those goals and will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority towards them.
We remain committed to security sector reform and will continue to work with President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad to strengthen the Palestinian security forces. We are currently considering how best to do this, given recent events.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the UK Government have made of the (a) size and (b) military capability of the (i) Hamas Executive Force and (ii) Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza; and if she will make a statement. [144362]
Dr. Howells: In April 2006 the then Hamas-affiliated Palestinian Interior Minister, Siad Siyam, established an Executive Force. By January 2007, the force was believed to have as many as 5,000 members, Hamas had announced its intention to increase this figure to some 12,000 and establish a 1,500 strong force in the West Bank.
Hamass military wingknown as the Izzedine al Qassam Brigadeswas founded in 1992 and has been responsible for numerous attacks on Israel, including suicide bombings. The group is likely to be able to draw on thousands of men as required. Hamas militants in both forces appear well disciplined and capable of conducting mobile urban warfare, rocket and improvised explosive devices bomb attacks.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2007, Official Report, columns 244-5W, on sanctions: EC Action, which geographical working group reviews and evaluates EU sanctions against Iran; how often the group meets; and to whom the group reports. [143951]
Dr. Howells: Any evaluation of the impact of sanctions on Iran would be carried out by the geographical working group covering the Middle East, Committee on the Middle East and Gulf (COMEM). COMEM can meet as required and the UK is represented by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office based in Brussels. COMEM also meets every three months when representatives from EU capitals attend, COMEM reports to the Political and Security Council and the Committee of Permanent Representatives, (known as Coreper). Any formal legal review of the sanctions will be undertaken by the Foreign Relations Counsellors Working Party.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British citizens have been tortured in Saudi Arabia since 1 January 1997; and if she will make a statement. [144119]
Dr. Howells:
The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture and works hard with international partners to eradicate this abhorrent practice. Although the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not itself in a
position conclusively to confirm or deny allegations of torture in Saudi Arabia, we do raise such allegations with the Saudi authorities. We have raised at least nine allegations of torture with the Saudi authorities since 1997.
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