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2 Feb 2009 : Column 887W—continued
Middle East
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the policy of Palestinian leaders on recognition of the state of Israel as a Jewish state; what recent discussions he has had with Arab governments on the issue; and if he will make a statement. [244833]
Bill Rammell: We are in constant communication with Palestinian and Arab leaders to seek to advance the peace process and secure a two-state solution, including full recognition of Israel.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will refer the conflict in Gaza to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for investigation. [247791]
Bill Rammell: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House on 19 January 2008, Official Report, column 501:
“allegations must be closely and speedily investigated. Obviously, the three key parties to that investigation are the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Government of Israel, and we are in touch with all of them.”
Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department
have had with (i) Arab states and (ii) the government of Israel on the rights of Jewish refugees from Arab lands; what response was received from each; and if he will make a statement. [247990]
Bill Rammell: We have had no such discussions.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct the United Kingdom ambassador to the United Nations to make representations against the reported use by Israel of depleted uranium shells and projectiles in the invasion of Gaza. [248769]
Bill Rammell: It is not clear whether Israeli forces have used depleted uranium munitions. We have made clear to the Israeli Government that they should do everything in their power to avoid innocent casualties.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli government on the reported use of depleted uranium shells and projectiles in the invasion of Gaza. [248771]
Bill Rammell: It is not clear whether Israeli forces have used depleted uranium munitions. We made clear to the Israeli Government that they should do everything in their power to avoid innocent casualties.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Israeli counterpart and (b) officials of the International Criminal Court on investigation of Israel's Gaza military operation. [249089]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 20 January 2009]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been in frequent contact with Foreign Minister Livni and Defence Minister Barak.
He has had no contact with officials from the International Criminal Court.
As the Foreign Secretary told the House on 19 January 2008, Official Report, column 501:
“allegations must be closely and speedily investigated. Obviously, the three key parties to that investigation are the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Government of Israel, and we are in touch with all of them.”
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the alleged hijacking of aid convoys by Hamas in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. [250220]
Bill Rammell: We are aware of reports that Hamas has been taking control of aid sent to Gaza from Arab countries.
We have repeatedly called publicly and privately for full and safe access for humanitarian agencies so that help can reach those in need. We urge all parties to respect their obligations, and to ensure the safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the number of (a) women and (b) children who were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured in Gaza as a result of being struck by rockets aimed at Israel in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [250228]
Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold this information.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take of Article 13 of the Hamas charter in assessing Hamas's suitability as a partner for peace in the Middle East; what recent representations he has received on the matter; and if he will make a statement. [250229]
Bill Rammell: We have consistently made clear that to be a credible partner in peace Hamas need to accept the Quartet Principles of recognition of Israel, acceptance of previous agreement with Israel and rejection of violence.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of Iran in relation to the (a) funding, (b) training and (c) arming of (i) Hezbollah, (ii) Hamas and (iii) al-Qaeda; and if he will make a statement. [250230]
Bill Rammell: We have serious concerns about Iranian support for Hezbollah. Iran provides Hezbollah with significant financial resources, military equipment and training. Many of the most lethal and sophisticated weapons that Hezbollah used during the Israel/Lebanon conflict were of Iranian manufacture or procured from Iran. Such support is unacceptable and only serves to undermine regional security. Arms supplies to Hezbollah are contrary to the arms embargo established by UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701.
We also have long-standing concerns about the support that Iran provides in the form of funding, arms and training to Palestinian Rejectionist Groups including Hamas, which are undermining peace in the middle east through violence. We hope that Iran will give political and diplomatic support to the Palestinian Authority in its attempts to build institutions and improve security.
We understand that Iran continues to hold some al-Qaeda (AQ) members in custody, but that members of AQ and affiliated groups have used, and possibly continue to use, Iran as a base, transit route and refuge. We have urged Iran to act against this and to co-operate fully with the rest of the international community against terrorism, as required by UNSCR 1373.
The UK would like to see Iran making a positive contribution to creating a secure, stable and prosperous middle east. But its current behaviour is a cause for serious concern for us and others. Iran needs to work with the international community and its regional neighbours to restore confidence in its intentions.
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to report the Israeli Government to the UN War Crimes Tribunal; and if he will make a statement. [250416]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 22 January 2009]: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House on 19 January 2008, Official Report, column 501:
“allegations must be closely and speedily investigated. Obviously, the three key parties to that investigation are the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Government of Israel, and we are in touch with all of them.”
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) meetings, (b) telephone calls and (c) e-mails has he had with the Israeli ambassador since 27 December 2008. [250417]
Bill Rammell: I have met ambassador Prossor on several occasions during this period. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been in direct regular communication with Foreign Minister Livni and Defence Minister Barak.
NATO
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the relevance of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to applicants for membership of NATO. [250872]
Caroline Flint: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is a political and military alliance with a collective defence commitment enshrined in article 5 of its founding treaty, which extends to member countries only.
While the commitment under article 5 of the Washington treaty is unquestionably a significant attraction for nations aspiring to join the alliance, there are also real benefits to be derived for these aspirants and for wider Euro-Atlantic security from the process of democratic and defence reforms required in the preparation phase for NATO membership. These are clearly demonstrated (and assessed regularly) in the development of good governance, the rule of law and stability within all applicant countries.
Rashid Rauf
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any official in his Department had any contact with Mr. Rashid Rauf in (a) Pakistan and (b) Afghanistan during 2006. [245654]
Bill Rammell: No official in the Department had any such contact.
Russia: Detainees
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress on President Medvedev's commitment to end legal nihilism in the Russian legal system. [246836]
Caroline Flint: We welcome President Medvedev's focus on the need to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, including his focus on tackling corruption and promoting the independence of the judiciary.
It is a positive sign that President Medvedev signed a package of anti-corruption laws on 25 December 2008. However, the challenges are immense and the test will be in the implementation. We raised our concerns, most recently, at the UK/Russia bilateral human rights talks on 16 January 2009.
Self-Determination of States
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of (a) the claim for independence of Kosovo from Serbia and (b) the claims of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia; and if he will make a statement. [250858]
Caroline Flint: Kosovo’s independence was the culmination of a UN-led political process, envisaged in UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (99), to determine its final status. This process exhausted all avenues to negotiate a solution between the parties and in the UN Security Council. In declaring independence, Kosovo explicitly undertook to implement the UN Special Envoy’s Comprehensive Settlement proposals, including the provisions on minority and community rights. It has adopted a constitution and legislative framework which give effect to this undertaking.
The UK recognised Kosovo on 18 February 2008. Kosovo has been recognised by a total of 54 states, has diplomatic missions accredited to 10 states and has applied for membership of the International Monetary Fund and other international organisations.
Russia recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia immediately following Russia’s military action against Georgia. This occurred without any process of negotiation to seek a durable solution. Russia’s use of disproportionate force and its violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity had no justification. Russia’s actions were in defiance of successive UN Security Council Resolutions, most recently UNSCR 1808 (2008), which Russia had supported.
Russia’s recognition of the separatist regions, and its use of disproportionate force to achieve its objectives undermine the principles of multilateralism and Russia’s own reputation as a reliable member of the international community and the United Nations. Russia has isolated itself on this issue. Only Russia and Nicaragua have recognised these entities.
The general criteria that we apply for recognition of an independent state remain as described in the written answer dated 16 November 1989, Official Report, column 494, by then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (the hon. Tim Sainsbury). We consider that Kosovo has met these criteria, but that South Ossetia and Abkhazia have not.
Special Envoy for Conflict Resolution
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Conflict Resolution has had with (a) the United Nations, (b) the African Union and (c) the European Union since his appointment; and what issues were discussed. [250384]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 22 January 2009]: The right hon. Jack McConnell MSP, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, has established a dialogue on multilateral approaches to post conflict stabilisation with the UN, the EU, the African Union and others.
Sudan: Peace Negotiations
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of progress made by the technical ad hoc border committee in delineating the 1 January 1956 border in Sudan as mandated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. [249544]
Gillian Merron: The work of the Technical Ad hoc Border Committee is severely delayed and its report, which under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was due by July 2005, has not yet been submitted to the presidency.
Defining and demarcating the North-South border remains one of the key obstacles to implementation of the CPA. We are fully engaged with both parties and international partners to secure full implementation of the CPA.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of progress in the work of the National Land Commission and the Southern Sudan Land Commission created by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan. [249545]
Gillian Merron: The National Land Commission has not yet been established because the National Assembly in Khartoum has yet to pass the Land Bill. The Southern Sudan Land Commission (SSLC) has been established, but the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly has not passed its own Land Bill, which is needed in addition to the national Bill, before the SSLC can exercise its functions in full.
We will continue to seek progress on land reform as part of our efforts to support full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Sudan: Press Freedom
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Sudan to encourage it to respect freedom of expression and freedom of the press in line with Sudan's obligations under article 39 of its Interim National Constitution, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. [249547]
Gillian Merron: We regularly raise with the Governments of Sudan (GoS) and South Sudan (GoSS) the need to fulfil obligations on human rights, including both freedom of expression and freedom of the press. The EU discussed these issues with the GoSS on 18 November 2008, and with the GoS on 3 December 2008.
Tibet: Missing Persons
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the whereabouts of the Tibetan film maker Dhondup Wangchen; and what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the matter. [245247]
Bill Rammell: Non-governmental organisations have reported that Dhondup Wangchen was detained on 26 March 2008 after completing his documentary film ‘Leaving Far Behind’. Dhondup was reportedly held in the Ershilipu Detention centre, in Xining (Qinghai Province) for three months. From there he was moved to the Guangsheng Hotel in Xining, where he was last seen around 12 July, 2008. We have no further information about Dhondup’s whereabouts or whether any charges have been brought against him. We have not raised this specific case with the Chinese authorities.
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