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12 Jan 2009 : Column 356W—continued
Since early November, over 200 pro-democracy activists have been given sentences of up to 65 years in prison. These severe sentences are clearly designed to silence all dissent ahead of the 2010 elections. There are now over 2,200 political prisoners in detention, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and other pro-democracy leaders. Ethnic minority groups have been methodically marginalised. Against this backdrop, we will continue
to do all we can to generate international pressure for a peaceful transition to democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. In particular, we will continue to give our full support to the UN Secretary General and his efforts to break the current deadlock.
Chagos Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his American counterpart on the future of the Diego Garcia airbase in the Chagos Islands in light of the expiry of the agreement for US-UK joint use of Diego Garcia for defence operations in 2016. [245421]
Gillian Merron: The UK and US consult closely and regularly on their mutual defence needs, including in the annual bilateral official talks on the British Indian Ocean Territory last held in London 18-19 September 2008. To date neither the UK nor the US has raised the possibility of terminating the agreement.
The use of the British Indian Ocean Territory is regulated by a series of bilateral agreements (Exchange of Notes) between the UK and the US. The 1966 Exchange of Notes provides that the islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including Diego Garcia, shall be available for defence purposes of both countries for an initial period of 50 years i.e., until 2016 and continuing thereafter for a further period of 20 years unless terminated by either Government not more than two years before the end of the initial period.
Chevening Scholarships
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chevening scholarships have been awarded to Tibetans in each year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [245246]
Caroline Flint: Three Chevening scholarships have been awarded to ethnic Tibetans applying in China since 2001-02; one each in 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08. This does not include any figures for Han Chinese or other Chinese ethnic minorities who may have been born in the Tibetan autonomous region.
Citizenship
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to include provisions in the Immigration and Citizenship Bill to give British nationals who are not British citizens entitlement to full British citizenship. [244735]
Mr. Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
There is provision with nationality law for the registration of those with another form of British nationality to be registered as “full” British citizens. If a person lives in the United Kingdom for a period of five years, and meets certain residence requirements, he or she can apply for registration.
The Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 also introduced a registration provision under which British overseas citizens, British subjects and British
protected persons can be registered as British citizens if they do not possess another nationality. Similar provision exists under the British nationality Hong Kong Act 1997 for the registration of British nationals who would otherwise be stateless and are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.
We have no plans to extend these provisions within the forthcoming legislation.
Colombia: Armed Forces
Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1196W, on Colombia: armed forces, whether the figure quoted for the number of Colombian armed forces personnel who received training from the British Army in 2007-08 includes those who received training in the field of counter-narcotics. [242760]
Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department has incurred on providing training to members of the Colombian armed forces in each year since 2000. [242765]
Gillian Merron: UK bilateral training and engagement on human rights and humanitarian demining, which is largely funded by the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Department for International Development/Ministry of Defence conflict prevention pool, has cost the following approximate amounts:
| £ | |
| (1) Denotes information that is incomplete. (2) Denotes estimated spend. | |
As well as bilateral projects, the UK supports projects running through several UN agencies including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, that will provide training to more than 2000 serving men and women.
These figures do not include training given in the field of counter narcotics. We do not disclose details of this engagement, as to do so would endanger the security of the UK and Colombian personnel involved, and undermine the effectiveness of that work.
Cyprus: Armed Forces
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports of the Turkish navy preventing
survey ships operating on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone carrying out their work; what representations he has made on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [245171]
Caroline Flint: While we have made, and continue to make, our expectations and views clear to Turkey, we continue to urge restraint as further escalation at this time would be very counter-productive.
As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Republic of Cyprus is within its rights to explore for oil and natural resources within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. We hope an early solution to the Cyprus problem will allow all Cypriots to benefit from Cyprus’s mineral wealth, and the UK supports all efforts to that end.
I shall continue to follow all developments, and remain committed to supporting efforts to finding a solution in Cyprus.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effects of recent changes in the higher ranks of the Turkish Army in Cyprus on the prospects for a settlement; and if he will make a statement. [245221]
Caroline Flint: We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement. We continue to work with all parties supporting the settlement process, encouraging flexibility and compromise.
Cyprus: Community Relations
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Cypriot authorities to enable refugee Maronites to reoccupy their villages and houses in the occupied north part of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [245029]
Caroline Flint: The UK Government are aware of the continued difficulties the Maronite community in Cyprus face as a result of the continued division of Cyprus. This includes difficulties in accessing their villages of origin and homes. Ultimately, the difficulties faced by the Maronite community as a result of the political situation on the island will only be fully resolved by a comprehensive settlement to reunite the island. We will continue to engage with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to support progress towards a settlement, and fully support their current negotiations towards this end.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to permit Orthodox worshippers to (a) freely visit the monastery of Agios Andreas in the Kerpas peninsula and (b) ring the church bell there; and if he will make a statement. [245030]
Caroline Flint: The British high commission in Nicosia are in regular contact with the appropriate Turkish Cypriots and raise such issues with them.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Cypriot authorities with a view to obtaining the permissions and decrees necessary to restore the Agios Andreas Monastery in the Karpas peninsula; and if he will make a statement. [245057]
Caroline Flint: I regularly express the UK's support for such confidence-building measures during my contacts with Cypriot Ministers and officials, and urge both sides to look at already agreed, and new, measures and to publicise their benefits. Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots, but they should not distract from the process.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to assist in achieving further confidence-building measures in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [245059]
Caroline Flint: Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots, but that they should not distract from the process. I regularly express the UK's support for such measures during my contacts with Cypriot Ministers and officials, and urge both sides to continue to look at already agreed, and new, measures and to publicise their benefits.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what difficulties he has identified in the restoration of the buildings at the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia following its recent opening; what representations he is making in this regard; and if he will make a statement. [245060]
Caroline Flint: We are following this issue closely and stand ready to support the UN's efforts to achieve agreement.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the extent of building on Greek Cypriot owned land in north Cyprus by people other than that land's lawful owners; what assessment he has made of the effects of such building on prospects for a settlement in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [245158]
Caroline Flint:
The British Government are concerned at the continuing appropriation of, and construction on, Greek Cypriot-owned land in northern Cyprus. Our high commission in Nicosia regularly raises the issue of property development with the Turkish Cypriot leadership. We believe that the difficult and complex issue of property is only likely to be fully resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to support progress towards the settlement process. I continue to urge both sides to show the political will and flexibility to bridge the gap
between words and deeds, and to engage constructively with the UN's efforts to broker a comprehensive and durable settlement.
In our contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, we recognise the Turkish Cypriots' need for economic development in support of reunification. However, we urge them to ensure that any property development which does take place does so in a manner that both respects the environment and does not complicate an eventual solution.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in each of the (a) technical committees and (b) working groups involved in the Cyprus negotiations; what assessment he has made of the prospects of implementing any of their recommendations in advance of a final settlement as confidence building measures; and if he will make a statement. [245161]
Caroline Flint: We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement and are assisted by technical committees and working groups. Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots, but that they should not distract from the process.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress in negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders towards a settlement; and if he will make a statement. [245162]
Caroline Flint: We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement. We urge both leaders and communities to seize this opportunity to reunite the island of Cyprus and to engage positively and flexibly in the process of negotiations.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the appropriate authorities on behalf of the enclaved Maronite community in the north of Cyprus (a) to enable them to visit the church of Agla Marina, (b) for permission for them (i) to ring the church bell at Asomatos village and (ii) to visit the church freely and (c) for restoration of the monastery of Prophetis Elias; and if he will make a statement. [245165]
Caroline Flint: The Government are aware of the difficulties faced by the Maronite community in Cyprus in accessing their villages of origin, including the villages of Agia Marina and Asomatos, and consequently in religious expression in those villages. We are also aware of the need for greater preservation of churches and other buildings of religious and cultural heritage in these villages, and throughout the northern part of Cyprus. We supported the Council of Europe’s resolution concerning the protection of national minorities in Cyprus adopted on 9 July 2008, which called for
“additional measures to support the revitalisation and promotion of the cultural, religious and linguistic heritage of the Maronites”.
We have also called for an early implementation by the leaders of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities of the sixteen confidence-building measures that they announced on 25 July 2008, three of which relate to the issue of cultural heritage. Ultimately, these issues occur as a result of the political situation on the island, and will only be fully resolved by a comprehensive settlement to reunite the island. We will continue to engage with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to support progress towards a settlement.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made on behalf of the enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the Karpas peninsula; and if he will make a statement. [245166]
Caroline Flint: The UK regularly discusses the issues of the enclaved along with other member states in the Committee of Ministers in the European Court of Human Rights.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) average age of (i) Greek Cypriots, (ii) Turkish Cypriots and (iii) settlers from the Turkish mainland resident in the Karpas peninsula; and if he will make a statement. [245167]
Caroline Flint: There are no UK Government estimates of the (a) number and (b) average age of anyone living in the Karpas peninsula.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the (a) number and (b) average age of Maronites resident in enclaves in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [245168]
Caroline Flint: There are no UK Government estimates of the (a) number and (b) average age of Maronites resident in northern Cyprus. The most recent UN Forces in Cyprus report referred to 142 Maronites living in the north.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of restrictions on Greek Cypriot enclaved residents living in the Karpas penninsula on (a) where they can live, (b) the right of former residents to return to live there, (c) to own a business, (d) to repair or modernise their homes, (e) to undertake paid employment, (f) to hunt or fish and (g) to educate their children; what representations he has made on their behalf to seek the lifting of such restrictions; and to whom he has made those representations. [245169]
Caroline Flint: We do not have any detailed information on any restrictions placed on Greek Cypriot enclaved residents living in the Karpas peninsula. The recent report by the UN Secretary General referred to the tight restrictions, applied by the Turkish Cypriot side, on UN movement in certain parts of the Karpas peninsula:
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