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Nuclear Disarmament Initiative

Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will sign the Irish Goverment's nuclear disarmament initiative which has been signed by Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, Slovenia and Sweden.[HL2613]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The statement was drafted by the states listed by the noble Lord and at no stage have we been invited to become involved.

The statement calls for a clear commitment from the nuclear weapon states to the speedy, final and total elimination of nuclear weapons. We have made clear our commitment to the global elimination of nuclear weapons. We have taken some important steps towards this goal in the Strategic Defence Review and elsewhere.

United Nations Convention on The Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the reasons underlying their intention not to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.[HL2642]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This convention is problematic for the United Kingdom. Many of the rights enshrined in it go far beyond the scope of the UK's existing immigration laws. The Government consider that they have struck the right balance between the need for immigration control and protection of the interests and rights of migrant workers, who already have the protection of the United Kingdom's existing commitments under international law.

This convention has not entered into force. It has only been ratified by nine states, and signed by three others. This suggests that the United Kingdom's problems are not uncommon.

Greece and Turkey: Transfer of US Military Equipment

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the United States Administration's decision to transfer 14 frigates to Turkey and 11 frigates to Greece over the next two years and to transfer to Turkey 72 advanced ground-to-ground missiles, with a range of 150 miles, has been discussed within NATO; and whether these weapons are expected to reduce the risk of conflict between these two NATO allies.[HL2691]

23 Jul 1998 : Column WA126

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: NATO has not discussed any decision by the United States to transfer military equipment to Greece and Turkey. We continue to support fully the efforts of the NATO Secretary General to implement a series of confidence building measures to decrease tensions in the region.

Cyprus: Transfer of S300 Missiles

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with the United States Administration that the transfer from Russia to the Government of Cyprus of S300 anti-missile missiles would be "destabilising".[HL2692]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government fully share the concern of the United States and other international partners that deployment of S300 missiles to Cyprus would exacerbate tension in the region. We have expressed this concern to the Government of Cyprus and shall continue to do so.

Korean Peninsular Energy Development Organisation: Supply of Oil to North Korea

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the financial position in the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO), of which the European Union is a member, regarding payment for the heavy fuel oil promised by KEDO to North Korea; and whether in particular the United States is up-to-date with the funding to which it is committed.[HL2693]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO) is committed to delivering 500,000 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil a year to North Korea. Deliveries should be completed by 20 October each year. The 1997 deliveries were completed in January 1998, three months late, at a cost of $64.9 million. The 1998 deliveries are also running behind schedule because of funding difficulties. By the end of July, some 218,000 metric tonnes will have been delivered, at a cost of $21.2 million. The estimated cost of delivering the balance (282,000 metric tonnes) is $28 million. KEDO has not yet secured funds for the 1998 balance and, after receipt of the 1998 EU contribution of 15 million ecu, will still have an outstanding debt of $48 million for 1997 and 1998 deliveries.

In accordance with the agreed framework, the United States, on behalf of KEDO, has taken the lead in arranging funding for the heavy fuel oil deliveries. Of the $171 million total heavy fuel oil costs to date, the United States has contributed some $80 million, while the EU will have paid almost $50 million. President Clinton has recently reiterated the United States' commitment to providing full funding to enable KEDO to meet its commitments for 1998 heavy fuel oil deliveries.

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UN Security Council Resolution 1173

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they have taken to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173 (1988) which imposed further sanction on UNITA as from 1 July.[HL2972]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Resolution 1173 imposed a freeze on the funds and financial resources of UNITA, its officials and their immediate families; a ban on most official contacts in Angola with UNITA, a prohibition on the import of diamonds outside the governmental certificate of origin regime; and prohibitions on the sale or supply of equipment which may be used in mining or transportation, and on transportation services.

We have instructed all our diplomatic missions overseas to avoid any contact with UNITA, whether locally or in Angola.

The prohibition on the importation of diamonds will be given effect in the United Kingdom by amendment to the Open General Import Licence.

The remainder of the prohibitions are to be implemented in the UK by the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998 and in the Overseas Territories by the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Dependent Territories) Order 1998 made on 21 July and laid yesterday. Similar orders have been made to give effect to the resolution in the Crown Dependencies. These orders restrict the sale or supply of certain goods which may be used in mining or transportation and the supply of transportation services, impose a freeze on the funds and financial resources in relation to UNITA and persons connected with UNITA, and, for the Overseas Territories and Channel Islands, restrict the importation of diamonds exported from Angola on or after 1 July 1998. There is provision for medical and humanitarian exceptions.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Reviews

Baroness Maddock asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be published during the parliamentary Summer Recess.[HL2786]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: None.

Council of the European Union: Calendar of Events

Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for August; and what are the major European Union events for the next six months.[HL2969]

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Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: See below.

This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

European Calendar: August 1998-January 1999

Date	Location	Event
August 1998
There are no Councils scheduled for this month. September 1998
3	Brussels	Political Committee
5-6	Salzburg	Foreign Ministers (Informal)
7-8	Brussels	Special Committee on Agriculture
10-12	Linz	Culture (Informal)
14-18	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
15-16	Bregenz	Transport (Informal)
21	New York	Political Committee
19-22	St. Wolfgang, Austria	Agriculture (Informal)
24	Brussels	Justice & Home Affairs
24	Brussels	Internal Market
25-27	Brussels	ECOFIN (Informal)
28-29	Brussels	Agriculture Council
October 1998
1-2	Luxembourg	Transport Council
2-3	Luxembourg	Industry/Research & Technology (Informal)
5	Luxembourg	Labour & Social Affairs Council
5	Luxembourg	Political Committee
5-6	Luxembourg	General Affairs Council
5-9	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
6	Luxembourg	Environment Council
12	Luxembourg	ECOFIN Council
13	Luxembourg	Research Council
13	Brussels	Political Committee
19-20	Luxembourg	Agriculture Council
19-23	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
22	Luxembourg	Fisheries Council
23-24	Baden-bei-Wien	Education (Informal)
24-25	Innsbruck (t.b.c.)	Meeting of Heads of State/Government (Informal)
26	Luxembourg	Political Committee
26-27	Luxembourg	General Affairs Council
28-29	Luxembourg	Transport Council
29-30	Vienna	Justice & Home Affairs (Informal)
November 1998
4-5	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
9	Brussels	Political Committee
9	Brussels	Internal Market Council
9-10	Brussels	General Afffairs Council
12	Brussels	Health Council
16	Brussels	Industry Council
16-20	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
17	Brussels	Culture Council
20	Brussels	Budget Council
20	Brussels	Labour & Social Affairs Council
23	Brussels	ECOFIN Council
23-24	Brussels	Agriculture Council
25	Brussels	Telecommunications Council
26	Brussels	Youth Council
26	Brussels	Political Committee
30	Brussels	Development Council
30-1 Dec	Brussels	Transport Council
December 1998
1	Brussels	ECOFIN Council
1-2	Brussels	Labour & Social Affairs Council
2-3	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
3-4	Brussels	Justice & Home Affairs
4	Brussels	Education Council
7	Brussels	Political Committee
7-8	Brussels	Environment Council
7-8	Brussels	General Affairs Council
10	Brussels	Research Council
11	Vienna	Political Committee
11-12	Vienna	European Council
14-16	Brussels	Agriculture Council
14-18	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
15	Brussels	Energy Council
17-18	Brussels	Fisheries Council
January 1999
1	Brussels	ECOFIN
14	Brussels	Fisheries Council (possible)
18	Brussels	Agriculture Council
18	Brussels	ECOFIN
19	Brussels	Agriculture Council
25-26	Brussels	General Affairs Council

23 Jul 1998 : Column WA129

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