§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts at preventive diplomacy are being made by(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the UN, (c) the European Union and (d) the Organisation of African Unity, in respect of the internal security situation in Sierra Leone.
§ Mr. BaldryWe are very concerned at the recent deterioration in the security situation which had led to the abduction of a number of Sierra Leonean and foreign nationals, including six Britons. We are following developments closely and have reinforced our high commission in Freetown with experienced hostage negotiators. We are in touch with the Sierra Leone Government and our Commonwealth, EU and other partners in the region. We have also given strong encouragement to the UN Secretary-General's proposals to send a special representative. We hope it may be possible to bring about a peaceful solution in Sierra Leone and we are ready to contribute in any way we can to resolve the present difficulties.