Somaliland (Hansard, 24 February 1994)

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is United Nations policy to support the peace process set in motion at the Boroma conference in Somaliland.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
It is United Nations policy to encourage all peace efforts throughout Somalia which are aimed at returning stability to the country.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take at international level to aid the peace process in Somaliland.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We take every opportunity during discussions with the United Nations and in our contracts with other international bodies and Governments to stress the importance of seeking an early solution to the problems in Somalia.
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§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he proposes to take to increase the commitment of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Somaliland.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
Officials from our embassy in Addis Ababa will continue to pay regular visits to north-west Somalia. The frequency of these visits, and of other assistance to the north west, will depend on there being a stable and secure environment in the region.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that there is funding to ensure security of the heavy weapons currently being handed over by militias in Somaliland.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
UNDP experts have developed a plan for demobilisation and disarmament which is currently under review by UNDP. We will consider the plan when it issues.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the progress of disarmament in Somaliland.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The latest information we have is that one tank, three heavy technicals, 20 technicals and a quantity of heavy weapons have been surrendered by clan brigades. The weapons are to be stored in two sites outside Hargeisa. The local administration continue to urge the clan militias to hand in their weapons.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications of the most recent UN Security Council resolution for the provision of extra resources to Somaliland.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The most recent Security Council resolution makes it clear that priority for directing international resources will be given to those regions which are secure and where representative and accountable institutional structures exist to facilitate the effective use of aid.