HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc446-7W
Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what duties were performed by the Defence Attaché in Accra and accredited also to Sierra Leone in 1997–98; [52027]

(2) what duties were performed by Colonel Andrew Gale whilst on service in West Africa. [52030]

Mr. George Robertson

[holding answer 23 July 1998]: Lieutenant Colonel Gale was, from November 1994 until January 1998, Defence Adviser to the British High Commissioner in Accra, Ghana, with non-resident accreditation to Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. As Defence Adviser, his duties were to advise the Ambassador/High Commissioner on military matters, including on the security situation, and report information back to the MOD. Lt. Col. Gale spent most of his time working in Accra, but would have visited the other countries within his area of responsibility about twice each year.

Lt. Col. (local Colonel) Gale is currently serving in Sierra Leone, on secondment to the United Nations, as the Military Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative.