HC Deb 29 March 2004 vol 419 cc1151-2W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in the Sudan peace talks. [163978]

Mr. Mullin

The current round of peace talks had been due to adjourn on 16 March but have now been extended until 31 March 2004. The First-Vice President and the Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement continue to discuss the outstanding issues. We remain hopeful that a framework agreement will be finalised soon.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army and the Lord's Resistance Army in Southern Sudan. [163981]

Mr. Mullin

We are aware of recent reports of skirmishes between the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army, and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in southern Sudan but have no confirmed details.

However, we recognise that Sudan has a potentially significant role to play in the resolution of the conflict in northern Uganda and are encouraged by recent efforts at cooperation between the two countries. We continue to emphasise this through our Embassy in Khartoum and in ministerial exchanges.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the Government of Chad in the conflict in Darfur. [163979]

Mr. Mullin

We welcome the Government of Chad's readiness to help the parties to the conflict to find a solution to Darfur's problems, and its continued support to the 110,000 Sudanese refugees whom they are currently hosting.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US Administration on the situation in Darfur. [163980]

Mr. Mullin

We are in daily contact with the US Administration about the situation in Darfur and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development spoke to the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development about Darfur on 10 March 2004. We are working closely with the US to get the parties to re-establish a ceasefire, preferably with international monitoring, to permit humanitarian access to all those in need, and to resume talks to find a peaceful solution to Darfur's problems.