§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the British contribution to the United Nations military effort in Somalia.
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§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe will pay our full share of United Nations operations in Somalia in accordance with assessed contributions. We have provided two RAF transport aircraft and accompanying personnel to support the US-led coalition's actions in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 794. We will also pay our share of the EC's commitment to assist with the funding of the Belgian contributions to military operations in Somalia.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given to British aid agencies in Somalia about their role during the military initiative in Somalia by the United Nations.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has discussed the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 794 with representatives of British non-governmental organisations working in Somalia twice in the last three weeks and with senior US Government officials. She has stressed the need for regular liaison between the military commanders and NGOs in the planning and execution of Operation Restore Hope.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution Britain has made in diplomatic and humanitarian terms to the area of the former British Somaliland during the period since the end of the civil war in Somalia.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe provide humanitarian assistance to northern Somalia in response to requests from United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations. Since Siad Barre's fall in January 1991, Britain has provided £2 million in emergency humanitarian relief to northern Somalia. Since the British embassy in Mogadishu was closed in early January 1991, officials have visited northern Somalia on three occasions and maintained informal contact in London, Nairobi and Addis Ababa with representatives of Somali groups. We have also pressed the United Nations, at all levels, to take account of northern Somalia's distinct needs.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice, help and support he has given to the Republic of Somaliland since September with a view to assisting the re-establishment of law and order.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have advised the authorities in north-west Somalia to co-operate with the United Nations Somalia initiative. This recognises the need for assistance with the establishment of law and order through the creation of local police forces.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sums of money he has(a) offered and (b) provided to pay administrator police and militia in northern Somalia, Republic of Somaliland, since September.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have received no formal requests for assistance with the establishment of a police force or a militia in northern Somalia; nor have we made any offers to do so.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role he expects the 129W United Kingdom to play in the mission to provide relief aid to Somalia; and to what extent United Kingdom efforts will be directed towards aid and reconstruction in the north of Somalia, Republic of Somaliland.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydBritain is already a major donor of humanitarian assistance to Somalia. On 4 December my noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development announced a new pledge of £4.5 million. This brings our total commitment of humanitarian assistance to Somalia this year to £31.5 million, including our contribution to European Community actions. These resources are available to support the work of British and international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies throughout Somalia.