HC Deb 15 April 1994 vol 241 cc331-2W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United Nations Operation in Somalia—UNOSOM—about the need to support efforts to maintain peace in Somaliland; and what response he has had.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In our regular contacts with the United Nations we have strongly supported efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability to all regions of Somalia. UNOSOM's mandate is to assist the Somalis in their efforts in seeking a peaceful solution to the tragic civil war. UNOSOM has given practical and financial assistance to these efforts.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about further disarmament in Somaliland; and what action the United Kingdom Government are taking to support this.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There have been no confirmed reports of further voluntary disarmament in north west Somalia. The demobilisation proposal currently being prepared by the local authorities in Northwest Somalia with assistance from the United Nations development programme includes provisions for disarmament. The recent declaration in Nairobi agreed by the 15 factions called for the implementation of voluntary disarmament in Somalia. We fully support this declaration.

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