§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the IGADD—Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development—talks seeking to bring peace in Sudan.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIntergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development leaders have had some success in reconciling the factions of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, who agreed on 6 January to a joint278W position on an agenda for peace talks. But progress with the Sudanese Government is more limited. On 17 February the Sudanese Government announced the postponement of a meeting between Presidents Bashir and Moi arranged for 18 February. We urge the Sudanese Government to respond positively to the IGADD initiative and make a serious effort to achieve a negotiated settlement.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press at the United Nations Security Council for a no-fly zone to prevent the bombing of civilian targets in southern Sudan.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe deplore the latest outbreak of fighting in the south, and condemn the bombing by the Sudanese air force of civilian targets. On 21 February we and our European Union partners issued a declaration to this effect, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. We have not ruled out recourse to the United Nations Security Council but would not want to pursue this option unless we were confident that it would be constructive.