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3 July 2007 : Column 998W—continued

Middle East

19. Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process. [146833]

Dr. Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend for Leeds North-East (Mr. Hamilton)

The middle east peace process is one of our highest priorities. Our objective remains a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two-state solution is the only realistic basis for a just and lasting peace, despite Hamas' actions in Gaza. This means a viable state of Palestine living in peace and security alongside the state of Israel. Both parties need to fulfil their obligations in order for this to become a reality. The international community has a key role to play in helping to secure this outcome. The Government are fully committed to doing whatever it can to help.

Israel

20. Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on incursions by Israeli armed forces into Palestine. [146834]

Dr. Howells: The impact of Israel’s military operations remains a real concern. Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism but it must respect international humanitarian law. We regularly raise our concerns about this with the Israeli Government.

Occupied Territories

22. Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the growth of illegal settlements in the west bank and east Jerusalem since 2002. [146836]


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Dr. Howells: We remain concerned at continuing settlement activity in the west bank and east Jerusalem. Non-governmental organisations have reported that the number of settlements has not changed but totals of settlers have risen.

The UK has stated that the settlements are illegal under international law; Israel should freeze all construction, including “natural growth” of existing settlements, and dismantle all outposts built since 2001. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv last raised our concerns with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 28 May.

Afghanistan

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan. [146815]

Dr. Howells: The security situation in the southern provinces of Afghanistan remains very challenging. Our forces, and those of Afghanistan and other international security assistance force nations, continue to work with great professionalism and bravery to provide the people of the Helmand and Kandahar provinces with the support they require to construct the services and infrastructure needed so badly in that part of the world.

African Union: Peace Keeping Operations

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on increasing co-operation between the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such co-operation on African Union military involvement in (a) Sudan, (b) Somalia, (c) the Central African Republic and (d) Chad. [146937]

Meg Munn: We strongly welcome the growing co-operation between the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (AUPSC). Both have a vital role to play in conflict management in Africa. We are actively encouraging them to develop a practical and more formalised relationship. The UK and South Africa jointly led a UNSC mission to Africa from 14 to 18 June which included a joint UNSC-AUPSC meeting in Addis Ababa. The two bodies agreed to enhance co-operation and the UNSC agreed to “examine the possibility of the financing of a peacekeeping operation undertaken by the AU or under its authority” (copies of their joint communiqué will be placed in the Library of the House).

The UN and the AU are working extremely closely on Darfur, including joint mediation by their respective special envoys and on planning for the UN/AU hybrid peacekeeping operation. Discussions with the AU during the UNSC mission helped pave the way for authorisation of the hybrid operation by the UNSC and AUPSC.

We fully support the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM)—the UK-sponsored UNSC Resolution 1744, adopted unanimously by the Security Council on 20 February, authorising the AMISOM's deployment. The UN is supporting AMISOM through
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an assistance cell to the AU in Addis Ababa and providing military planners. The UNSC has requested the Secretary-General to consult the AU on how to strengthen AMISOM and authorised him to begin contingency planning for a possible UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia. The UNSC mission discussed with the AUPSC on 16 June the need for an inclusive political process in Somalia. The two bodies will continue to work in tandem to try to help bring peace and stability to Somalia.

The AU has no military involvement in the Central African Republic or Chad. The UNSC is considering what role the UN might play to ensure stability and humanitarian access. The UNSC mission held discussions with the AU on 16 June on these issues.

Australia: Foreign Relations

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Australian counterpart since January. [146998]

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with his Australian counterpart as yet. He looks forward to that opportunity. My right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Margaret Beckett) the then Foreign Secretary and her counterpart, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, met for substantive bilateral discussions on 18 to 19 December 2006 at the Australia-United Kingdom ministerial dialogue meeting in London.

Bermuda: Arrests

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the arrest and detention of the Auditor General for law and order in Bermuda. [146935]

Meg Munn: The Auditor General in Bermuda was arrested and subsequently released on police bail in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation by the Bermuda Police Service. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment further.

Burma: UN Resolutions

Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic steps the United Nations has taken on Burma since a resolution was vetoed in January. [147143]

Meg Munn: On 22 May, the UN Secretary-General announced that Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Special Adviser on the International Compact in Iraq and Other Issues, would continue to pursue the Good Offices mandate on Burma.

The UN Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, visited Burma from 25 to 29 June to address compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1612, which lays down reporting requirements for a number of countries of concern, including Burma.


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The UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Margareta Wahlstrom, visited Burma from 4 to 9 April to assess the humanitarian situation in Burma.

The UN has a key role to play in addressing the political and humanitarian challenges in Burma. The UK will continue to support the UN's efforts in Burma.

Canada

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart. [146733]

Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary last spoke to her counterpart, Canadian Foreign Minister Mr. Peter MacKay, by telephone on 9 March, when they discussed a number of international issues.

Cayman Islands: Business

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the US Administration in the last 12 months on the Cayman Islands and companies operating there; and if he will make a statement. [147213]

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received no representations from the US Administration in the last 12 months on the Cayman Islands and companies operating there.

Central African Republic: Kidnapping

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports and representations he has received on armed groups seizing children for ransom payments in the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement. [147129]

Meg Munn: We are monitoring the security and human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and are concerned by recent reports from Amnesty International referring, among other things, to incidents of armed groups kidnapping children for ransom. We have seen reports of child abductions by armed groups from refugee groups which appear to constitute forced recruitment and have raised this with the Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

We remain concerned by increased reports of humanitarian violations in CAR and the increasing level of violence in the north-west of the country, which has forced some humanitarian organisations to suspend operations in some areas. We have raised our concerns with the CAR authorities and welcome President Bozize's intention to carry out an investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses.


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Darfur Oil Trust Fund

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other members of the Government on the proposal for a Darfur Oil Trust Fund. [146624]

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the proposal for an oil trust fund with other members of the Government. Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development officials are discussing the proposal and will discuss the idea in more detail with the Aegis Trust.

We welcome the Aegis Trust proposal for an oil trust fund. This could be an option for consideration in the future to put further pressure on the government of Sudan to meet its commitments on Darfur. As with other measures, we need to carefully consider its impact on the economy and poverty reduction in the whole of Sudan, and on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), agreed between north and south Sudan in 2005. Oil revenues are key to delivering the CPA's peace dividend across Sudan. The UK's policy remains focused on smart and targeted multilateral sanctions.

Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other members of the Government on the proposals for a Darfur Oil Trust Fund; and if he will make a statement. [146901]

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the proposal for an oil trust fund with other members of the Government. Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development officials are discussing the proposal and will discuss the idea in more detail with the Aegis Trust.

We welcome the Aegis Trust proposal for an oil trust fund. This could be an option for consideration in the future to put further pressure on the Government of Sudan to meet its commitments on Darfur. As with other measures, we need to carefully consider its impact on the economy and poverty reduction in the whole of Sudan, and on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), agreed between north and south Sudan in 2005. Oil revenues are key to delivering the CPA's peace dividend across Sudan. The UK's policy remains focused on smart and targeted multilateral sanctions.

East Timor: Democracy

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the conduct of the parliamentary election campaign in East Timor and its conformity with the Political Party Accord and Code of Conduct. [146938]

Meg Munn: The Deputy Head of our embassy in Jakarta visited Dili from 18 to 21 June and met with the East Timorese Government, the UN Mission and other key interlocutors. There was agreement that the
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parliamentary election campaign was proceeding well, with minimal evidence only of violence. All parties were respecting the Political Party Accord and Code of Conduct. The EU Election Observation Mission in East Timor also report that the electoral preparation is progressing well. We will continue to monitor progress.

European Constitution Treaty

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the cost of a national referendum on an EU treaty. [146102]

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.

This Department has not made an estimate of the cost of a national referendum on an EU treaty. We would, however, expect the cost of running a UK referendum to be similar to the cost of a general election. The last general election cost approximately £80 million.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the middle east peace process. [146829]

Dr. Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today (UIN 146824) to the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes).

The middle east peace process is a top priority. We seek a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the only realistic basis for a lasting peace. This means a viable state of Palestine living in peace alongside the state of Israel. Both parties must fulfil their obligations for this to become reality. The international community has a key role to play. The Government are fully committed to doing whatever they can to help.

Palestinian Arms Trade

Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007, Official Report, column 211W, on Palestinian arms trade, if he will list the items provided by the UK to Palestinian Authority forces for close protection. [146680]

David Miliband: During financial year 2006-07, the UK provided the following to Palestinian President Abbas for close protection from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool: four Honda motorcycles; eight helmets; eight leather jackets; and four sets of gloves. We have also provided maintenance for three vehicles. The total cost for this was £36,081.

Russia and UK-EU Relations

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Russian relations with the UK and the EU. [146835]


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Mr. Jim Murphy: Russia is a key partner for the UK and the EU. Both the UK and the EU share interests with Russia for example on trade, energy, human rights, security and a host of international issues, but on occasions our assessments and approaches differ. Where we have disagreements or concerns, we, and the EU, raise them frankly with the Russian authorities.

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Saudi Arabian officials on the country's human rights record. [146732]

Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Margaret Beckett), the former Foreign Secretary's most recent meetings with her counterpart His Royal Highness Prince Saud were in the margins of the Iraq Compact Group (May) and the Paris Donor Conference for Lebanon (January) and focused on issues relevant to those events.

We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, regularly raising our concerns, both bilaterally and through the European Union.


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