§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on diplomatic relations with Somalia.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe British embassy in Mogadishu was closed and staff withdrawn in early January because of the complete breakdown in law and order. Since the United Kingdom maintains diplomatic relations with states rather than governments, there has been no breach in relations. We keep in regular contact with the Somali ambassador in London as well as with representatives of the various Somali groups.