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9 July 2007 : Column 1295Wcontinued
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of the EU sanctions against Burma; and what assessment he has made of progress made towards meeting these objectives. [147482]
David Miliband: The EU's sanctions, as set out in the EU common position on Burma, are an expression of the EU's disapproval of the Burmese regime and its policies and are intended to apply pressure for change. The common position includes a visa ban and assets freeze aimed at the Burmese leaders, their families and associates who formulate, implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma's transition to democracy.
The common position has two strengths: firstly, it delivers a message to the regime that the EU condemns the regime's actions towards the Burmese people; secondly, it is a unified position supported by all members of the EU and thus delivers a common and united EU message to the regime.
We are disappointed that the Burmese Government has so far failed to respond to the pressure and encouragement of the international community to embrace substantive democratic change and national reconciliation.
While we do not believe that sanctions used in isolation will bring about political change in Burma, we take the view that targeted measures aimed at senior members of the regime and their associates, applied in combination with the engagement of the UN and our international partners in the region, provide a clear incentive for substantial political change.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with international counterparts on the political situation in Chechnya. [148300]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government remain deeply concerned about the situation in Chechnya. This issue is raised regularly in the context of both UK-Russia and EU-Russia Human Rights Consultations. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will also continue to discuss Russia in conversations with our international counterparts. I fully expect that these discussions will cover both internal and external issues.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss the new EU treaty with his (a) Czech, (b) Polish and (c) Dutch counterpart. [147670]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will have regular contact with all his EU counterparts and looks forward to meeting the Polish and Czech Foreign Ministers. He will discuss many issues with them, including the Reform Treaty.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met his Dutch counterpart on 5 July. They discussed a number of issues, including the Reform Treaty.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his Spanish counterpart on the future sovereignty of Gibraltar in (a) March, (b) April, (c) May and (d) June 2007. [147001]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have yet to have the opportunity to meet our Spanish counterparts since taking up our new positions, but look forward to doing so. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Europe (Mr. Hoon) to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) on 4 June, Official Report, column 236W. As regards sovereignty discussions, it remains the position that the Government would not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar was not content.
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2007, Official Report, column 2205W, on human trafficking: conferences, how many people attended the conference; how many were front-line practitioners; how many were from the UK; how many Members of Parliament from each EU country attended; what conclusions and recommendations emerged from the conference; and what further action is planned. [148195]
Dr. Howells: The Wilton Park conference entitled Human Trafficking: how best to stem the flow was attended by 61 people from 28 countries and international organisations, with 19 of the participants from the UK (including one hon. Member). Data protection rules prohibit the release of delegates personal information. The range of participation is reflected in the speakers shown on the conference programme and included policy makers, practitioners, politicians, academics and law enforcement experts and is available on the Wilton Park website at:
A Conference Report will be sent to all participants and will be available on the Wilton Park website within one month. The report will be a summary of the main points and conclusions of the conference without
attributing remarks. The conference and the subsequent report will be used by participants to inform international policy-making.
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [147573]
Dr. Howells: We are concerned by recent political developments in Iran, in particular the increase in restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. We also continue to have concerns about Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme; its malign interference in Iraq and elsewhere in the region; and its support for terrorism.
We would welcome dialogue and engagement with Iran as it develops its economy and society and we would remind Iran that, to be a respected member of the international community, Iran has to abide by its international commitments, for example the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty and it needs to use its regional influence constructively.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Indonesian Government on their decision not to allow Congressman Faleomavaega to visit West Papua. [148525]
Meg Munn: We are aware of reports that US Congressman Faleomavaega was denied access to Papua by the Indonesian authorities, who have said they cannot guarantee his safety. We understand that a number of Papuan representatives including members of the MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua/Papuan People's Council), the Papuan tribal council and Governors Suebu and Atururi travelled from Papua to meet with Congressman Faleomavaega in Jakarta.
We have not raised this with the Indonesian authorities. The UK's policy on Papua is that we support the territorial integrity of Indonesia and therefore do not support independence for the province of Papua. We believe that the best way to resolve the complex issues in Papua is through promoting peaceful dialogue between Papuan groups and the Indonesian Government. We believe that full implementation of existing Special Autonomy legislation is the best way to proceed towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous Papua province.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given by the UK and international agencies to Kyrgyzstan to help it manage its nuclear waste. [148491]
Mr. Jim Murphy:
The UK provides funds to the World Bank and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which are the leading international agencies providing assistance to Kyrgyzstan in managing its
nuclear waste. The World Bank provides financial support to reduce the danger from uranium wastes in the Ferghana Valley following an earlier study by the European Commission of the potential threat posed by mine wastes at the Mailuu-Suu uranium mine. The IAEA has provided technical assistance in the assessment of the radiation situation at the former uranium mine site. The IAEA has also funded a number of regional projects in central Asia which cover Kyrgyzstan. These include improvement of radiation waste management infrastructure, quality assurance, radiation protection, establishment of national capabilities for response systems, training personnel in radiation safety and management of residues from former mining and milling activities.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Libya. [147672]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the then Prime Minister (Mr. Blair), visited Libya on 29 to 30 May. His visit sealed the transformation of UK/Libya relations since Libya's renunciation of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction in 2003. He met Colonel Gaddafi and Prime Minister Baghdadi, and discussed the wide range of areas in which we are co-operating, including trade, health and education. I also discussed these issues during my visit in June 2006.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no current plans to visit Libya. His foreign engagements, and those of other Ministers, are kept under constant review.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK officials will be seconded to support the work of the Quartet representative as set out in the Quartet statement of 27 June 2007; and if he will make a statement. [147479]
David Miliband: We welcome the right hon. Tony Blair's appointment as the Quartet's middle east representative. As Prime Minister, he demonstrated his commitment, over the years, to advancing the middle east peace process. He is exceptionally well placed to take on this role. We understand that details of Mr. Blair's role and how he and his team will operate are being worked out now. We are currently considering how we can support Mr. Blair's work.
The Quartet's efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Arab/Israeli conflict are vital not only for the region but for the wider international community. The middle east peace process is one of our top priorities. We will continue to support the Quartet and their new representative in their work.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance is being made available to aid the (a) Ethiopian military and (b) infrastructure reconstruction in Somalia from (i) the UK and (ii) the EU. [146859]
Meg Munn: Neither the Government, nor the EU, is providing financial assistance to aid the Ethiopian militarys operations in Somalia.
The Government, through Department for International Development funding, is providing a limited amount of support for infrastructure reconstruction in Somalia through its health and education programmes.
rehabilitation of key government buildings in Baidoa/Johwar (£200,000);
construction of Hargeisa prison (£150,000);
construction of Hargeisa Police stations (£130,000);
construction of Ghardo Prison (£50,000);
construction of Armo Police Training Academy (£7,500); and
equipping and renovations of civil service/public administration training institutions and support to selected ministries equipment/renovations (£200,000).
The European Commission is providing approximately €50 million per year of reconstruction through its health; education; rural development; governance, water and sanitation and food security programmes. These programmes include elements of infrastructure support.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Sudanese Liberation Movement and (b) Justice and Equality Movement on seeking peace in Darfur. [147973]
Meg Munn: A renewed political process is the only solution to the crisis in Darfur. We remain in close contact with the African Union and UN envoys, who are leading the renewed political process. Officials are in contact with a range of Sudanese rebel representatives based outside Darfur including the Sudanese Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement. Access to military commanders within Darfur is more difficult, but officials from our embassy in Khartoum are in contact with groups on the ground.
We use our contacts with the rebels, as with the government of Sudan, to press them to stop fighting and to engage in the political process; to respect international humanitarian law; and to provide safe and unrestricted access to humanitarian agencies. We have made clear that if they do not fulfil their commitments then we will impose further tough measures in the UN Security Council.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential for (a) Swedish and (b) Finnish membership of NATO; and if he will make a statement. [148301]
Mr. Jim Murphy:
The Government have made no assessment of the potential for Swedish and Finnish membership of NATO as neither country has requested NATO membership. NATO operates an open door policy and would respect the sovereign decision of any country in the Euro-Atlantic area wishing to apply for
membership. Any application would be subject to the consensus approval of the North Atlantic Council.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role he expects British police officers to have in Uganda (a) before and (b) during the Commonwealth Conference; and if he will make a statement. [147554]
Mr. Jim Murphy: At the request of the Ugandan Government police officers from the United Kingdom have been involved in training and advising Ugandan security staff in preparation for the state visit of Her Majesty The Queen and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. I expect that support to continue until the event.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department received representations on whether President Museveni of Uganda should have been invited to the latest G8 meeting. [147838]
Meg Munn: We did not receive any such representations. It is for the sitting G8 presidency to decide which non-G8 leaders to invite to the annual summit. We welcomed the attendance of many African leaders at Heiligendamm as it gave G8 leaders an opportunity to discuss with them the issues of key importance to Africa today and into the future.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the 2005 constitutional amendment in Uganda on the position of that country's President. [147841]
Meg Munn: The Ugandan Parliament voted in 2005 to lift the constitutional two-term limit on the office of President to allow incumbents to serve an unlimited number of terms. This enabled President Museveni to stand in the February 2006 elections, when he was re-elected. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2011.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 May 2007, Official Report, column 1719, on UN resolutions: frontiers, how many further notifications have been received by the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to UN Resolution 1737 (2006) from states reporting the entry into or transit through their territories of designated persons. [147480]
David Miliband:
The answer of 2 May given to the right. hon. Member by my right. hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett) Official Report, column 1719, noted that two notifications had been
received from member states of travel by individuals designated in the Annexes to UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007), in March. No further notifications have been received by the UN Security Council Committee, established pursuant to UNSCR 1737 (2006), from states reporting the entry into or transit through their territories of designated persons.
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