§ 12. Mr. Damian Green (Ashford)What steps he has taken to put into practice his ethical foreign policy with regard to Africa; and if he will make a statement. [129551]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Peter Hain)We back positive change in Africa by supporting those Governments who promote democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. We are helping Africa in the fight against poverty, AIDS, corruption and conflict. I am focusing on activities that fuel conflict and break sanctions, especially the illegal diamond trade. Yesterday, I spoke at an international diamond trader conference in Antwerp to press for action to block diamonds that fund wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and the Congo.
§ Mr. GreenI am grateful to the Minister for his words, but when he contemplated the sight of child soldiers in Sierra Leone carrying British weapons, did he consider the devastating candour of his own analysis in the New Statesman that the phrase "ethical dimension" in relation to Britain's foreign policy was just
a hook on which we found ourselves … ?215 Will he now acknowledge that the so-called ethical foreign policy is the Foreign Secretary's personal contribution to the Government's most pervasive failing—the desire at all times for spin rather than substance?
§ Mr. HainThat was a well rehearsed little contribution, wasn't it? The fact is that this Government have taken a stronger stand on human rights and social justice than any previous Government in Britain, and certainly the previous Tory Government of 18 years. What action did they take against the diamond traders who fuel conflict in Sierra Leone, Angola and the Congo? They did nothing. Yesterday, I represented the Government and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in Antwerp in seeking an agreement with the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, the producer countries and the importer countries, and the trading centres in Tel Aviv, Bombay and Antwerp, to put on the agenda for the first time a proper certification scheme to stop the illicit export and import of the diamonds which fuels war rather than prosperity. That is a great blow for human rights in Africa and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Donald Anderson (Swansea, East)My hon. Friend has made a significant personal contribution to human rights, especially in southern Africa. Does he agree that when apartheid reigned in South Africa, when the Group Areas and Registrations Act was on the statute book and when Nelson Mandela was in prison, there was no ethical foreign policy from the then British Government? One of the most significant things that we can do now to promote an ethical foreign policy is to help the South African Government with good governance and to relate to them in every way so that they can be a beacon in the region.
§ Mr. HainAbsolutely. As my hon. Friend points out, it was Conservative Members and their former leader who condemned Nelson Mandela as a terrorist. It was some of them and their supporters who went round universities in Britain with badges saying "Hang Nelson Mandela." Where was the ethics and the commitment to human rights in that? Our commitment on those issues was strong in opposition and continues to be driven forward in government.
§ Mrs. Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham)Has the Minister had the opportunity to see yesterday's report that five people collecting relief items were killed in an ambush by Sudanese Government forces in the Nuba mountains? Is he aware that in recent months the Sudanese Government have bombed schools and medical centres in their country? Given that the United Nations Security Council and the United States have both condemned strongly the atrocities committed by the Sudanese Government, will not many people be appalled and dismayed by the tactless move of this Government in granting a visa to and laying out the red carpet for the Sudanese Foreign Minister today? When it comes to foreign policy, can the Minister tell us where hypocrisy ends and ethics begin?
§ Mr. HainI shall take no lessons in hypocrisy from the hon. Lady, or from Conservatives generally. Is she saying that the Foreign Minister of the Sudan, who met me this morning to discuss the peace process and how to take that 216 forward and who will meet my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary this afternoon, should not come to visit the Archbishop of Canterbury either—because he is to meet the Archbishop too? To take forward the agenda for peace in that war-stricken country, the hon. Lady should support the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development peace process and all the initiatives that we are taking and discussing with the Sudanese Government to end the misery and atrocities. I agree with her that those atrocities and miseries should be ended as soon as possible, which is why we are taking decisive action.