§ 6. Mr. Jim Cunningham (Coventry, South)What plans his Department has to assist progress towards democracy in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement. [86577]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)The United Kingdom Government have contributed more than £2 million in bilateral support for preparations for Indonesia's first genuinely multi-party democratic elections since 1955, in addition to our share of the £5.5 million EU contributions. Our support included voter education, projects by the BBC for local radio and by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy as well as technical assistance for domestic election monitors. We welcome the fact that the elections ran smoothly. We are considering what further opportunities there are to assist in the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia.
§ Mr. CunninghamDoes my hon. Friend agree that Britain has done a lot more over the previous two years to encourage democracy in Indonesia—and, in particular, to advance human rights and the rights of the people of East Timor—than the Conservative party did during its 18 years of government, when all it could think about was flogging weapons to that country?
§ Mr. HoonI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his observations. We welcome the prospect of consultation in East Timor in August. We hope that that will produce a proper and fair result for the people of that part of the world.
§ Mr. Crispin Blunt (Reigate)Has the United Kingdom offered troops as part of any possible multinational force to oversee any transfer of sovereignty for East Timor away from Indonesia?
§ Mr. HoonIt is important that the consultation should take place before there is any pre-judging of the result.