Angola

HC Deb 24 June 1996 vol 280 cc13-4

28. Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral assistance the Government (i) gave in 1995–96 and (ii) plan to give in 1996–97 to Angola. [32635]

Mr. Hanley

Provisional bilateral outturn for 1995–96 was some £12 million; our share of the multilateral EC figure for 1994 was approximately £5 million. The 1996–97 bilateral commitments for Angola currently total some £9 million. Angola's allocation under the seventh European development fund was 115 million ecu; the United Kingdom's share is £15 million. That for EDF 8, which is to run from 1996 to 2000, is now under discussion, but our share will be 12.7 per cent.

Mr. Hunter

The successful implementation of the Lusaka protocol depends largely on the success of the United Nations-monitored quartering process. Does my right hon. Friend share the concern that overcrowding in the camps, deteriorating health conditions and sanitation and a decline in the quality of food supplies are undermining that process? If so, will the Government take steps to ensure that the UN and other agencies address the problems?

Mr. Hanley

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I am grateful for his concern for Angola, and for the steps that are helping to improve confidence there.

Progress in the peace process is frustratingly slow, but we are encouraged by recent movement. I hope that the quartering of UNITA will be completed without further delay so that work can begin on the formation of a unified army and then a Government of national unity and reconciliation. Fourteen quartering areas have been established to receive troops, but I am disappointed that the rate of quartering has not been faster. I am concerned about the quality of many of those that have been quartered, and about the quantity of weapons being handed in.

There are concerns about the conditions in some quartering areas. Undoubtedly it is a formidable logistical task for UNAVEM—the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III—but the emphasis must be on the Government of Angola and UNITA co-operating with UNAVEM to make the operation a success, rather than exploiting the difficulties as an excuse not to fulfil their obligations.