§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy considerations underlie the continuing absence of a British ambassador from Afghanistan; and what arrangements are made for United Kingdom nationals such as Red Cross workers when in need of diplomatic assistance.
§ Mr. EggarWe withdrew Her Majesty's ambassador from Afghanistan in 1980 to register our disapproval of the installation of an unrepresentative regime by the Soviet army. Before the temporary withdrawal of the remaining embassy staff in February this year, we informed British nationals that consular assistance would no longer be available.
British nationals who travel to, or stay in, Afghanistan now do so in the knowledge that this is so.
§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's ambassador will return to Afghanistan.
§ Mr. EggarThe then British ambassador was withdrawn in 1980 shortly after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. We have since then had no ambassador in Kabul. It is too early to predict when it would be appropriate to appoint an ambassador again.