§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has initiated at the United Nations over Indonesia's occupation of East Timor and treatment of its people.
§ Mr. GoodladEast Timor and human rights issues there are regularly addressed at the United Nations in New York and at the annual session of the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. We work with our European Union partners as appropriate in these bodies. We have encouraged Portugal and Indonesia to work together under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to find a solution to the East Timor problem.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise with(a) the United Nations and (b) member states of the European Union the case for a ban on arms sales to Indonesia on account of its occupation of East Timor.
§ Mr. GoodladNone. We do not believe that a ban on arms sales to Indonesia would be appropriate.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion or other contact he has had with the United States Government over their imposition of a ban on arms sales to Indonesia.
§ Mr. GoodladWe are aware through Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington of recent United States action on defence sales to Indonesia, but we have our own clear policy and have no plans to change it.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia about their occupation of East Timor; and what response he has received.
§ Mr. GoodladWe have encouraged Indonesia and Portugal to work together under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General to find a solution to the East Timor problem.