Democratic Republic of Congo (Hansard, 27 June 2000)

§ Ms Oona King
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he proposes to take to prevent the sale in the UK and dependent territories of diamonds and other commodities being used to fund conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [127704]
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§ Mr. Hain
The UK is a leading actor in supporting international efforts to tackle the problem of illicit diamonds and other commodities being used to finance wars in Africa.
We have supported the establishment of a UN expert panel to follow up on reports and collect information on the exploitation of DRC's natural resources. We look forward to the panel's recommendations to the Security Council.
We want to see a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and DRC's natural wealth used to benefit the people of DRC.

§ Ms Oona King
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent conflict in Kisangani. [127703]

§ Mr. Hain
We deplore the recent fighting between Ugandan and Rwandan forces in Kisangani. Their actions have put the Lusaka Agreement at risk and led to widespread suffering for the people of Kisangani. We have expressed our concerns to both governments bilaterally and supported the UN Security Council Resolution 1304 which calls for both parties to cease hostilities and withdraw all their forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The United Nations observer mission in Kisangani has informed us that both sets of troops have withdrawn from the town. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

§ Ms Oona King
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for a mandatory EU arms embargo on countries involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [127705]

§ Mr. Hain
As a signatory to the EU Code of Conduct on arms exports the UK will not allow exports which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination.
At the General Affairs Council (GAC) on 22 May the Council invited the EU/SADC working group on illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons to examine in its next meeting practical measures to prevent arms flowing to conflict zones in the Great Lakes Region.
The Council also mandated its relevant bodies to consider whether an arms embargo on the parties to the conflict would be appropriate.