HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 cc446-7W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what administrative framework the IGADD nations have set up to ensure the implementation of the recent agreement in Nairobi between the participants in the Sudanese civil war.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to his written question on 13 April at column206.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to appointing a full-time Nairobi-based diplomat to monitor both political and aid issues particularly in southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Staffing requirements at all overseas posts are kept under regular review. We are currently satisfied with the coverage of southern Sudan which we receive from our missions in Khartoum and Nairobi.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in Sudan to introduce zones of tranquility in line with the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development agreement in Nairobi.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

A sub-committee has been set up to implement the agreements reached at the recent IGADD talks. It is still too early to establish what progress this sub-committee can make.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is being done by Britain and the European Union to give practical support to the IGADD talks on Sudan in Nairobi; and what action is now planned by(a) the international community and (b) the United Kingdom to assist the special rapporteur to be effective following the extension of his appointment.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Discussions are taking place with EU partners and the United Kingdom will be making a bilateral contribution.

Britain co-sponsored the resolution for the extension of the United Nations special rapporteur's mandate, and we will consider any request for assistance which he might make.