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2 Apr 2008 : Column 1046W—continued
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in (i) Zagreb and (ii) Belgrade have had with (A) members and (B) representatives of the Governments of (x) Croatia and (y) Serbia on the (1) beginning of the trial of General Ante Gotovina, (2) co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), (3) future co-operation with the ICTY and (4) (aa) diplomatic and (bb) economic incentives for such co-operation; and if he will make a statement. [197179]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia’s (ICTY) view is that Croatia continues to co-operate fully with ICTY and has done so since October 2005. We welcome this. We have not held formal meetings with the Croatian Government to discuss the opening of the trial of General Ante Gotovina. Continued full co-operation with ICTY remains a condition for their progression on the EU accession track.
The issue of Serbia’s co-operation with ICTY arises regularly in ministerial and official-level contacts with the Serbian Government. We regularly press the Serbian Government to fully co-operate with ICTY.
The UK is committed to seeing all four outstanding ICTY indictees, including Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, arrested and brought to trial before the Tribunal. The UK has given full and consistent support, both practical and political, to ICTY’s work.
Kenya: Politics and Government
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the vote in Kenya’s parliament on 18 March, unanimously approving the power-sharing agreement between Mr. Odinga and Mr. Kibaki; and if he will make a statement. [196915]
Meg Munn: The Government welcomed the power-sharing agreement signed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate, Raila Odinga, on 28 February. The constitutional reforms passed unanimously on 18 March to enshrine the agreement in law. It is important that Kenya’s leaders display the leadership, patience and tolerance necessary to ensure that the agreement is implemented in full.
Kosovo: Civil Disorder
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the civil unrest in Mitrovica on 18 March; and if he will make a statement. [197084]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Our embassy in Pristina provided detailed reporting on the disturbances in Mitrovica on 17 March 2008. We understand that the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will be carrying out an investigation into the events of the day.
On the morning of 17 March, UN police entered the UN court building in Mitrovica to arrest Kosovo Serb protestors who had occupied the building on 14 March. In response, Kosovo Serbs attacked UNMIK police and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR)) troops, including with grenades and small arms fire. 25 UNMIK police officers and 22 KFOR troops were injured and one Ukrainian police officer was killed. Serbian media report that around 70 Kosovo Serb civilians were injured. We have strongly condemned the violent disturbances directed against UN and NATO personnel. The situation is currently calm but tense in northern Kosovo and stable elsewhere. Our embassy in Pristina continues to monitor the situation on the ground in Northern Kosovo.
Nagorno Karabakh
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the government of (i) Azerbaijan, (ii) Armenia, (iii) Russia, (iv) the US and (v) with the European Commission on (A) reported statements by Azeri President Ilham Aliev on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, (B) recent reports of armed clashes on 4 March 2008 and (C) possible initiatives in response to events in the region; and if he will make a statement. [197036]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The armed clashes on the line of contact between the Azerbaijani and Armenian forces, along with statements by the leadership of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, have been discussed extensively by our officials in Baku and Yerevan, in Vienna among the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) member states, in Brussels among EU partners and between officials in London and the Azerbaijan embassy. I sent a message to the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister urging that they do everything possible to calm the situation, including ensuring that the personal representative of the OSCE chairman in office to the Minsk Group is granted the necessary access to enable him and his staff to obtain clarity of the events of 4 March. Others including the US, the Finnish Foreign Minister, as the OSCE Chairman in Office, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the EU have issued statements or sent messages urging restraint on both sides.
Officials will remain in close contact with all the relevant parties, including the mediators. We continue to urge all sides to calm the current tensions and to resume contacts leading towards a negotiated settlement, which remains the only way to secure a lasting, peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the recent statements by Azeri President Ilham Aliev on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh; and if he will make a statement. [197083]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We are following closely the situation in Azerbaijan and Armenia following fighting along the Line of Contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces on 4 March, and have noted the statements made by both sides since the adoption of a resolution on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, by the UN General Assembly, on 14 March.
We have seen some suggestions that one, or both of the parties, may withdraw from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group-facilitated negotiation process for a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The EU statement made at the UN on 14 March supported the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, expressed support for all steps which contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and called upon all parties to avoid actions which heighten tensions. We will continue to impress upon the sides that there is no sustainable alternative to a peacefully negotiated solution.
Natural Gas: Prices
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the likely political effects of the decision announced on 11 March 2008 by KazMunaiGas, Uzbekneftgaz and Turkmengaz to raise prices for natural gas; what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives have had with the governments of (i) Kazakhstan, (ii) Turkmenistan and (iii) Uzbekistan on the matter; and if he will make a statement. [197034]
Mr. Jim Murphy: It was announced on 11 March, following a meeting between the Chief Executive Officer of Russia’s Gazprom and the heads of the Kazakh, Turkmen and Uzbek state gas companies, that Gazprom would pay European market rates for the Central Asian gas that it imports, beginning from 2009. However, the announcement is a framework agreement and the exact pricing formula has yet to be determined. It is expected that the actual price paid for the gas will be based on a net-back formula related to the cost of the gas, less transport costs.
There has been significant press speculation on the agreement and the underlying reasons behind it, in particular on the likelihood that Gazprom will seek to pass on the increased price to Ukraine and the impact that this may have on the price Ukraine pays for its gas. However, until the exact commercial parameters of the agreement are clear, it would be premature to draw conclusions about its likely political effects.
We have not had any formal discussions with the Governments of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on this issue since 11 March. However, we remain in regular contact, both bilaterally and through the EU, with all three governments on energy related issues.
Organisation of the Islamic Conference
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the achievements of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference since its establishment; and if he will make a statement. [196907]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Organisation of the Islamic Conference comprises 57 member states from across the Islamic world making it the second largest intergovernmental organisation after the UN. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office considers it an important organisation for intercultural dialogue, reducing poverty and addressing other global and regional issues.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the (a) possibility and (b) merits of having a European Union observer at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC); what discussions (i) he, (ii) his Department and (iii) UK representatives have had with (A) members and (B) representatives of (1) the governments of members states of the OIC, (2) the Permanent Secretariat of the OIC, (3) the governments of member states of the European Union and (4) the European Commission concerning observer status for the EU; and if he will make a statement. [196909]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Formal contact between the EU and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) currently takes place on an ad hoc basis. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not sought observer status for the EU at the OIC.
Russia: Oppression
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK
representatives overseas have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Russia on the detention of Maxim Reznick; and if he will make a statement. [197185]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We welcome the news that Maksim Reznik was released from custody on 21 March 2008, following a decision made by the St. Petersburg court.
The UK regularly raises its concerns over human rights violations, including individual cases, both in its annual bilateral consultations and through the EU. The next EU/Russia human rights dialogue will be held on 17 April 2008. We will continue to monitor this case closely.
Serbia: Politics and Government
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the proposed resolution by the Serb parliament abandoning Serbia’s pursuit of membership of the European Union unless EU member states rescind their recognition of Kosovo’s statehood; and if he will make a statement. [197080]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Our embassy in Belgrade closely follows political developments in Serbia. The resolution, proposed by the Radical party, was not endorsed by the Serbian Government and was not debated by the Serb Parliament. The Parliament has now been dissolved pending elections scheduled for 11 May.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) the UK representative in (i) Belgrade, (ii) Pristina and (iii) Moscow have had with (A) members and (B) representatives of the governments of (1) Serbia, (2) Kosovo and (3) Russia on (x) the proposed resolution by the Serb parliament abandoning Serbia's pursuit of membership of the European Union unless EU member states rescind their recognition of Kosovo’s statement, (y) possible reactions by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo and (z) Russia’s position on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [197081]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The resolution, proposed by the Radical party, was not endorsed by the Serbian Government and was not debated by the Serb Parliament. The Parliament has now been dissolved pending elections scheduled for 11 May.
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) the UK representative in (i) Brussels, (ii) Berlin, (iii) Paris and (iv) Madrid have had with (A) members and (B) representatives of the European Commission and the governments of (1) Germany, (2) France and (3) Spain on (w) the proposed resolution by the Serb parliament, abandoning Serbia’s pursuit of membership of the European Union unless EU member states rescind their recognition of Kosovo’s statement, (x) possible reactions by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo, (y) Russia’s position on this
issue and (z) the possibility of a co-ordinated response by the EU and member states; and if he will make a statement. [197082]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The resolution, proposed by the Radical party, was not endorsed by the Serbian Government and was not debated by the Serb Parliament. The Parliament has now been dissolved pending elections scheduled for 11 May.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed Serbia’s European future with his EU colleagues, including those from Germany, France and Spain, and with the European Commission, at the Gymnich meeting in Brdo, Slovenia on 28-29 March.
Somalia: Armed Conflict
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives overseas have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of (A) the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, (B) the government of Ethiopia, (C) the European Union Commission, (D) the governments of member states of the European Union and (E) the United States administration on the recent increase in fighting in (1) Mogadishu and (2) elsewhere in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [197177]
Meg Munn: The Government maintain regular contact with all of the relevant actors. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with President Yusuf in January 2008 and with Prime Minister Hussein at the African Union Summit in February 2008, where he also met Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia. Officials at our high commission in Nairobi and our embassy in Addis Ababa are in regular contact with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, including the President and Prime Minister, and with the Government of Ethiopia. Officials in London, overseas in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Washington, in Brussels and at the UK Mission to the UN in New York are in regular contact with their counterparts in other EU missions, with the EU Commission and the US administration. Close co-operation with our international partners ensures that our messages and assistance to Somalia are consistent, mutually reinforcing, and supportive of efforts made by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General to achieve progress on political, security and humanitarian tracks.
Somalia: Politics and Government
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress on (a) establishing security, (b) establishing the rule of law and (c) improving humanitarian conditions in Somalia since the beginning of 2007; and if he will make a statement. [197134]
Meg Munn: The Government continue to work with international partners and the UN to make progress on security, rule of law and improving humanitarian conditions in Somalia.
Security remains of concern. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), established to provide an external security presence, is still building up its deployment. Most recently, the UK has provided funding to assist Burundian troops to deploy and has funded a reconnaissance visit by the Nigerian military ahead of their planned deployment. Increasing the numbers of AMISOM troops will help to improve the security of Mogadishu. However, long-term security will be dependent on a political solution and the establishment of the rule of law.
The UK contributes to the UN Development Programme Rule of Law and Security programme (ROLS) in Somalia. Through the Department for International Development, the UK has committed £6 million to the ROLS programme since 2006. Currently 3,410 Somali police officers have been trained. These officers will form the core of future civilian law enforcement, leading to a more secure environment for all Somalis.
The humanitarian conditions in Somalia remain very difficult. The Prime Minister, Nur Hassan Hussein, has 17 years of humanitarian experience. He has shown himself an effective partner in tackling both the humanitarian issues and political reconciliation in Somalia. We expect this to lead to improved aid community access to those in need. During 2007, the UK committed £8.6 million in additional humanitarian assistance, beyond our annual programme, to respond to the suffering of the people of Somalia.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Somalia since January; and if he will make a statement. [197176]
Meg Munn: The Government assess that the political situation in Somalia has improved since January, offering a fresh opportunity for Somalis to make real progress on the issues facing that nation. The appointment of Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein and the endorsement of his cabinet in January marked a significant point. Since January the Transitional Federal Government has agreed a package of assistance with the European Union, has drawn up a reconciliation plan for clans in Mogadishu and a timetable for a Constitutional Process and has begun working closely with the UN and the international donor community.
The Government assess that the security situation remains fragile. However, further political progress will lead to long-term improvements in the security situation and allow for further reconciliation and state-building to take place. However, we also recognise that progress on building trust between the parties is likely to take time, since Somalia has experienced much violence and suffering during the past 17 years. We therefore continue to encourage all parties to take responsibility for participating in continuing and constructive dialogue to settle their political differences and to call for an end to the violence.
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