§ 8. Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with the Sudan.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Douglas Hogg)We maintain diplomatic relations with Sudan, but our relationship is not an easy one. Our main concerns are the regime's record on human 839 rights, its apparent lack of resolve in combating international terrorism, its failure to co-operate in the provision of humanitarian aid and the need to make progress towards more accountable Government accept-able to all parts of the country.
§ Mr. WardellWhat initiatives or help are the Government making available to end the tragic civil war in Sudan, and what contacts or meetings have we had with democratic political movements in that country?
§ Mr. HoggThe truth is that we have precious few levers with the Government of Sudan. I welcome what the Nigerians have been doing in persuading the parties to hold discussions in Abuja, and we hope that those discussions will be profitable. We also make our views clear to the Government of Sudan on every possible occasion—including today, here.
§ Mr. ColvinMy right hon. and learned Friend must be aware that the talks in Abuja ended without any positive result. Does he accept that any talks aimed at solving the problems of the civil-war-stricken country of Sudan must seek a solution that is based on multi-party democracy, a secular state and a constitution that enshrines human rights and individual rights? Surely, as the old imperial power, the British Government must have some opportunity to instigate talks. Perhaps the Government could talk to their partner from the old imperial days— Egypt—about instigating such talks.
§ Mr. HoggWe must face the fact that the Government of Sudan are difficult. The objectives that my hon. Friend has outlined are entirely right. We want to see a multicultural, multilingual, pluralistic society in Sudan that is committed to democratic institutions, but our ability to bring that about is remarkably limited. For example, we do not give developmental aid to the country because of its past policies. Our ability to persuade the Government of Sudan to do that which is right is less than we should like.
§ Mr. CorbynWill the Minister bear in mind that there are many refugees, both internal and external, in Sudan? They live in the most desperate poverty in great danger to themselves. They suffer a severe degree of ill health. In those circumstances, is he prepared to reconsider the statement that he just made about aid to Sudan? Will he consider whether humanitarian aid can be sent to refugees who are the victims of civil wars throughout the region for which they bear no responsibility?
§ Mr. HoggThe hon. Gentleman is right, but I said that we gave no developmental aid to Sudan. We have in place a humanitarian aid programme. We have contributed more than £53 million in humanitarian relief to Sudan since the beginning of the present food crisis in 1990. We make a distinction between developmental aid, which we do not give, and humanitarian aid, which we do give.