HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 cc395-6W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions(a) Mr. Peter Penfold and (b) other Foreign Office officials met Mr. Mikhail Karacostas during Mr. Penfold's period as UK High Commissioner: Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [138755]

Mr. Hain

We are not aware of any meetings between either Mr. Penfold or other FCO officials and Mr. Karacostas during this period.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Sir Thomas Legg was informed of the investigations into Mr. Mikhail Karacostas' involvement in West Africa when he conducted his inquiry into the Sandline affair; and if he will make a statement. [138753]

Mr. Hain

Mr. Karacostas was the subject of a police investigation, involving a number of individuals and countries. He was arrested in March 1998 as a consequence of this investigation. The case came to court in the UK in May 1999. These matters did not form part of Sir Thomas Legg's investigation, which reported on 24 July 1998.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what duties Mr. Peter Penfold was assigned after leaving his post as UK High Commissioner, Sierra Leone; when he was assigned the new duties; and if he will make a statement. [138789]

Mr. Hain

Peter Penfold completed his posting as High Commissioner in Freetown earlier this year and will shortly begin a secondment to the Department for International Development.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates discussions on West Africa were held with the Greek Government following the overthrow of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone, indicating the discussions which related to equipping ECOMOG; and if he will make a statement. [138757]

Mr. Hain

Many discussions on the general issue of Sierra Leone took place in EU and UN fora. These involved the Greek Government, among others. The question of practical support for ECOMOG's efforts in Sierra Leone was one of the issues which arose.

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