§ 34. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Ethiopian Government about violations of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement in the area recently handed over to Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TurtonAs my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs informed the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 2nd November, difficulties have arisen in the working of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of November, 1954. In accordance with the procedure established under the Agreement representations have been made locally on a number of occasions by the British liaison officer appointed under the Agreement. These have not always been successful. Her Majesty's Ambassador has, therefore, spoken to the Ethiopian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who expressed concern and welcomed the proposal for a meeting with the Vice-Governor of Harar Province which is to be held later this month.
§ Mr. RussellAs this Agreement was received with the greatest reluctance originally by hon. Members on all sides of this House, will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that everything will be done to make sure that the Agreement is honoured by the Ethiopians?
§ Mr. TurtonI will most certainly. The Ethiopian Government have always given us the assurance in the past that they intend to carry out the Agreement, and I therefore hope that this meeting will bring about an improvement in the situation.