§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the light of the offensive by the government of Sudan against the Sudan People's Liberation Army in the south of that country the European Union has taken any further initiatives since they publicly urged the Sudanese Government to agree to a ceasefire on 21 February; and what new measures they consider might be taken either by the European Union or the United Nations to persuade the Sudanese Government to look for political solutions to the problem of southern Sudan.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyOn 8 March the European Union agreed the establishment of an arms embargo on Sudan as an expression of our abhorrence of the continuing bloodshed. With our EU partners we will continue to support the peace initiative of the Kenyan, Ugandan, Ethiopian and Eritrean Governments. Talks were held on 17–23 'March, which were attended by representatives of the four governments, the Sudanese Government, and SPLA factions. Further high-level talks are scheduled for mid-May.