§ 44. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement regarding the Harar Conference upon the Ethiopian-Somali dispute over conditions in the Reserved Area.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerYes, Sir. The Harar Conference, which ended on 20th January, disclosed and clarified certain points at issue between the Government of the Somaliland Protectorate and the Ethiopian provincial authorities. The unresolved points were referred back to our two Governments. The record and conclusions of the Conference are being studied.
It has been agreed in principle that a delegation, which I hope to lead myself, should, after visiting British Somaliland, go to Addis Ababa early next month, to discuss these outstanding points and at the same time to review the whole field of Anglo-Ethiopian relations.
§ Mr. JohnsonI thank the Minister for that Answer, which will be acceptable both in London and in Hargeisa, but is he aware that since the conference finished Mohammed Begorreh, the spiritual head of the Habr Yunis—the largest Somali tribe—has been scandalously taken out of Harar gaol to Addis Ababa and sentenced there, without being allowed a defence lawyer? What is the hon. Gentleman doing about that?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe hon. Member has a subsequent Question on that point upon the Order Paper.