South Africa

HC Deb 24 February 1993 vol 219 cc573-5W

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the European Community observer mission in South Africa.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The European Community observer mission in South Africa—ECOMSA—is making a valuable contribution to defusing violence and reducing tensions. ECOMSA, together with the Commonwealth team, has been particularly praised for its professionalism, and has rapidly built extensive relations with, for example, local political organisations, peace accord structures and the South African police. They have the advantage of comprising several senior serving police officers with experience in, for example, community policing.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the terms of reference of the European Community observer mission in South Africa; what is the period of the mandate of the mission; what is the size of the mission; what is the number of members from each EC member state; and in which areas of South Africa it is operating.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The European Community observer mission in South Africa was deployed in accordance with the terms of Security Council resolution 772 to work in association with other international observer groups and the structures of the national peace accord as part of their efforts to reduce tension and end violence.

The mission was initially deployed for six months, with effect from October 1992, and comprises 15 members contributed from member states as follows:

	Number
United Kingdom	2
Denmark	2
France	1
Germany	2
Greece	1
Ireland	2
Netherlands	2
Portugal	1
EC Commission	2

The EC observers are at present deployed with six members at the ECOMSA headquarters in Johannesberg, four members in Durban and two members in East London and Cape Town respectively.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to extend the period of the mandate of the European Community observer mission in South Africa beyond the current expiry date.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

This is under consideration among the Twelve. A decision is expected shortly.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been made for the European Community observer mission in South Africa to report to(a) the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, (b) the Council of Ministers, (c) the structures of European political co-operation, (d) the Commission of the European Communities, (e) the European Parliament and (f) the national parliaments of the member states of the European Community.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Regular reports are submitted to the presidency. These are made available for discussion as necessary by European Community Foreign Ministers. They are also circulated to all member states and can be drawn on to inform their parliaments as appropriate.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recommendations the European Community observer mission in South Africa has made to(a) the presidency and (b) the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

To date, the reports of the European Community observer mission in South Africa have been factual commentaries on the situation and about action engaged in by team members.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which dates the Council of Ministers has discussed the question of the European Community observer mission to South Africa since October 1992.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

This matter has not been discussed by the Council of Ministers since October 1992.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration the Council of Ministers has given to the possibility of expanding the European Community observer mission to South Africa and extending its mandate when agreement is reached on the calling of one person one vote elections.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

This question has not yet been considered by the Council of Ministers. Any election-monitoring mission would be different in nature, and would probably have to operate separately, from the current observer exercise.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom citizens are currently attached to(a) the United Nations observer mission to South Africa, (b) the European Community observer mission to South Africa, (c) the Commonwealth observer group to South Africa and (d) the Goldstone commission.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There are three United Kingdom citizens currently serving with the United Nations observer mission to South Africa, two with the European Community observer mission, one with the Commonwealth observer group to South Africa, and one with the Goldstone commission.