§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he or his ministerial colleagues has had with the Ethiopian government and others about resolving peacefully the conflicts in Tigre and Eritrea; and what is his assessment of the prospect of peace talks taking place in either area, as a result of United Nations or EEC initiatives.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe most recent occasions were when I visited Ethiopia in April 1987 and when my hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development did so in January this year. My hon. Friend had planned to return this month but has postponed his visit at the request of the Ethiopian Government.
We have also discussed the conflicts in Tigre and Eritrea with our European partners. The Community agreed a declaration last week urging a peaceful solution. We earnestly hope that all parties in this tragic situation will put humanitarian before military considerations.