HC Deb 10 December 1996 vol 287 cc99-100W
Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State, for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the number and rank of UNITA military personnel quartered under the supervision of the United Nations verification mission III. [8311]

Dr. Liam Fox

As of 7 December 1996, 69,821 UNITA troops had been registered in 15 quartering areas. A breakdown by rank is not available.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of UNITA weapons have been surrendered to United Nations verification mission III in Angola; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which UNITA has fulfilled its obligations in this respect. [8310]

Dr. Fox

In his report of 2 December 1996 the Secretary-General stated that the United Nations is still awaiting a declaration by UNITA that it has handed over all its weapons. Although the Secretary-General confirmed that considerable progress has recently been achieved on the military front it is essential that UNITA should comply with its obligations to hand over all weapons to the United Nations Angola verification mission without delay.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of UNITA military personnel have been quartered under the supervision of United Nations verification mission III; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which UNITA has fulfilled its obligations in this respect. [8309]

Dr. Fox

In his report of 2 December 1996 the Secretary-General stated that the United Nations is still awaiting a declaration by UNITA that it has assembled all its troops. We have made clear to UNITA our disappointment that some two years after the signing of the Lusaka protocol the quartering process has still not formally been completed.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the number and types of weapons handed over by UNITA of Angola to the United Nations verification mission III. [8308]

Dr. Fox

As of 7 December 1996 the United Nations reported that 30,180 personal weapons and 4,857 crew-served weapons had been handed over to UNAVEM III by quartered UNITA soldiers.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UN embargo on the supply of weapons to UNITA of Angola. [8307]

Dr. Fox

UN Security Council resolution 1075 of 11 October 1996 expressed deep concern at the failure by states, especially those neighbouring Angola, to implement the provisions of paragraphs 19 to 25 in resolution 864 (1993) vigorously and strictly. As a permanent member of the Security Council the United Kingdom has supported efforts to make this embargo effective.