HC Deb 16 November 1989 vol 160 cc490-1W
Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many detainees were discovered when the Clarke mission visited the SWAPO camp at Kwanza Sul in Angola; and whether UNTAG has subsequently ensured their return to Namibia to vote in the current elections provided for under the United Nations plan.

Mr. Waldegrave

The United Nations mission on detainees found no detainees in any of the alleged detention centres it visited in Angola.

Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Clarke mission to investigate SWAPO camps in Angola and Zambia; and if he will list those camps visited.

Mr. Waldegrave

We have noted the report's findings. The United Nations mission visited 22 locations in Angola, including Minya camp, Old Hainyeko camp, Ethiopia camp, Lenin camp and the vocational training centre in Kwanza Sul. It also visited eight locations in Zambia, including Nyanko camp near Kaomo.

Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total United Nations contribution to SWAPO; on what criteria the contribution has been made; and how much has been the United Kingdom contribution to this total.

Mr. Waldegrave

The United Nations has financed certain travel and accommodation costs for SWAPO since 1977. The budget for this purpose for the biennium 1988–89 was $1,006,000. The United Kingdom contributed 4.86 per cent. of the United Nations regular budget in 1988–89. SWAPO has also benefited from projects run by the Council of Namibia and other United Nations bodies. United Nations funding of SWAPO was terminated on 1 April.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what political and financial support the Government is prepared to give the United Nations to assist in the discharge of the responsibilities of any Namibian constituent assembly.

Mr. Waldegrave

We are making a substantial financial and material contribution to the United Nations transition assistance group whose role will continue until independence. The costs of the constituent assembly will be met by the existing Administration.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government will give to the Secretary General of the United Nations in his plans to provide assistance to Namibia in the period between elections and independence.

Mr. Waldegrave

We fully support the secretary general's efforts to mobilise assistance to Namibia in the period between elections and independence. We already provide assistance to Namibia bilaterally and through the European Community and the Commonwealth.

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