§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for the public release by the United Nations of the full independent investigation chaired by the Chief Justice of Zambia into the conduct of the United Nations operation in Somalia.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMembers of the Security Council are now studying the contents of the report and a decision on its public release is expected shortly. We do not oppose its release but recognise that Security Council members who contributed troops to the operation need time to consider the report carefully before reaching a decision.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Somalia peace meeting scheduled for Mogadishu on 15 April between General Aideed, Ali Mandi and others took place; and if he will make a statement on the prospects for further such meetings.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe understand that the meeting of the 15 factions scheduled for 15 April in Mogadishu has 121W now been postponed until 25 April. A national reconciliation conference is due to take place on 15 May to elect a President, Vice-Presidents and a Prime Minister. We continue to support all efforts by the Somalis to take forward the political reconciliation process.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about current military activity in Somalia.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have received reports of recent fighting between Somalia clans in Merca, south of Mogadishu. Reports also indicate that in the last few days there have been serious clashes between the Habr Gedr and Hawadle sub-clans in Mogadishu.