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Russia: Media Freedom
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made representations to the Russian Government about the cases of the journalists Paul Klebnikov, Andrei Babitski, Raf Shakirov and Anna Politkovskaya; if so, with what results; and whether international organisations have had any satisfaction as regards the impunity of the journalists' attackers. [HL495]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We raised our concerns about media freedom in Russia, and specifically attacks and harassment of journalists in Russia, during out bilateral human rights discussions with the Russian Government in September 2004. We will reiterate these concerns and raise these specific
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cases at the next round of human rights discussions with the Russian Government in early 2005. In addition, staff at our Embassy in Moscow continue to raise concerns about media freedoms in Russia at every suitable opportunity.
Conflict Resolution
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What priority they accord conflict resolution across the globe as part of their strategy for global security. [HL512]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Foreign and Commonwealth's (FCO) strategy, published in 2003, included "an international system based on the rule of law, which is better able to resolve disputes and prevent conflicts", as one of the Government's eight highest strategic international priorities for the UK. In support of this objective, the FCO, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development share the following joint public service agreement target: "By 2007–08, improve effectiveness of UK and international support for conflict prevention, through addressing long-term structural causes of conflict, managing regional and national tension and violence, and supporting post-conflict reconstruction, where the UK can make a significant difference, in particular Africa, Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East".
Effort to prevent and resolve conflict is fundamental to the Government's multilateral and bilateral security activity. The Government are actively engaged around the world in conflict resolution, for example in Afghanistan, west Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans. The Government are also working hard to improve multilateral institutions' willingness and ability to act effectively in preventing and resolving conflicts, including in the United Nations (UN), the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and through the development of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and European Union security and defence capabilities. The Government will use their G8 presidency in 2005 to reinforce efforts to improve security and stability in Africa. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has welcomed the report of the UN Secretary General's High-Level Panel, published on 2 December 2004, which makes a wide range of recommendations aimed at improving the international response to threats to global peace and security. The Government will be giving the UN Secretary General firm support in taking this agenda forward.
The FCO strategy and strategic priorities are available on the Internet at the following address—http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=Open Market/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=10679679 03739 Priorities—and are available in the Library of the House.
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Israel and Palestine: London Conference
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the venue, agenda and prospective participants for the forthcoming high-level London conference to discuss Palestine and Israel. [HL555]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: During his visit to Israel and Palestine on 22 December, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced his intention to hold a meeting in London to support the new Palestinian leadership and help them to prepare the disengagement and to implement the road map. In particular we hope the meeting can help the new Palestinian Authority leadership to build up the Palestinian political, economic and security infrastructure which will help to underpin a future Palestinian state. We plan to invite members of the Quartet (UN, EU, US and Russia), the G8 and those who play a significant role in the ad hoc liaison committee and the International Task Force for Palestinian Reform. Details of venue and precise agenda have not yet been finalised.
Israel and Palestine: Sovereignty
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are confident that the new coalition administration in the Knesset will be able to conclude a full agreement with the Palestinian Authority to ensure complete sovereignty in the latter's territories. [HL557]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is not for us to comment on Israeli internal politics. However, a coalition able to govern effectively is in everyone's interests. All final status issues must be agreed in negotiations between the two parties.
European Commissioners: Pensions
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the pension arrangements for former European Union Commissioners, including the amounts paid. [HL559]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Former European Union Commissioners are entitled to a pension from the day they reach 65 of 4.5 per cent of the Commissioner's final basic salary for each whole year of service in the Commission plus one-twelfth of this amount for each additional month's service, subject to a maximum of 70 per cent of the final basic salary. The pension is subject to Community tax and exempt from national taxes. Former Commissioners may start drawing their pensions from the age of 60, subject to the application of a coefficient ranging from 70 per cent at age 60 to 95 per cent at age 64. Since 1 July 2004, the basic salary of a Commissioner has been 18,233 euros a month, for Vice Presidents 20,259 euros a month, and for the President 22,366 euros a month.
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International Organisations Bill
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which European Union institutions are eligible for immunities and tax privileges; what those immunities and privileges are; and to which European Union institutions they propose to grant similar status under the International Organisations Bill. [HL560]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The 1965 Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities ("the 1965 Protocol") conferred on the European Communities a range of privileges and immunities considered necessary for the performance by the Communities of their tasks and functions. These privileges and immunities are similar to those conferred on other international organisations and include immunity from jurisdiction, exemption from taxation, exemption from customs duties and prohibitions and restrictions on importation and exportation of articles for official use. The provisions of the 1965 protocol apply to the Communities; to their institutions (ie the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors); to the European Central Bank, the European Monetary Institute and the European Investment Bank; and in accordance with the protocol, to certain representatives of member states and certain officials and servants of the Communities. The provisions of the protocol have also been applied to bodies created under the Community and to certain officials and staff engaged in the work of such bodies. The 1965 protocol, and the privileges and immunities flowing from it, are given effect in UK law by the European Communities Act 1972. The International Organisations Bill will not alter that situation.
The International Organisations Bill will, however, enable the UK to confer legal capacity and privileges and immunities on bodies established under powers conferred under Title V (Provisions on a Common Foreign and Security Policy) or Title VI (Provisions on Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters) of the Treaty on European Union, and on certain categories of individuals connected with those bodies. At present three bodies exist on which privileges and immunities will be conferred pursuant to Clause 5 of the International Organisations Bill. They are: ATHENA, the EU Satellite Centre and the Institute for Security Studies.
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
How they define the "other persons connected with the body, and members of their families who form part of their households" to whom they propose to grant immunity under Clause 5(3)(b) of their International Organisations Bill; and to how many United Kingdom residents they expect such immunity to apply. [HL561]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Clause 5(3)(b) will cover, among others, persons employed by, or serving under, the body as experts or as persons engaged on missions for it, representatives to the body, representatives on, or members of, any subordinate body or sub-committee, family members of these persons and family members of officers or staff of the body. As ATHENA, the EU Satellite Centre and Institute for Security Studies are all based outside the United Kingdom, it is expected that few, if any, UK residents connected with those bodies will enjoy immunity.
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