§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the Rwandan authorities with regard to the security situation in the great lakes region. [1215]
§ Dr. Liam FoxThe Rwandan Government earlier denied any involvement of their forces in the conflict in eastern Zaire. There has been sporadic shelling across the Zaire-Rwanda border, in response to which the Rwandan Government on 30 October announced that they had sent troops into Bukavu. We have urged the Rwandans to withdraw immediately.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in the great lakes region of Africa. [1213]
§ Dr. FoxThe security situation in the great lakes is complex. There are long-standing ethnic tensions in eastern Zaire between Zairean peoples and those of Rwandan origin, aggravated by the influx of Rwandan and Burundi refugees. Recent violent clashes result from a backlash by Zairean Tutsis against attacks by the Zairean armed forces and extremist Hutus. The Rwandan Foreign Minister assured my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 31 October that Rwandan forces who entered Zaire on 29 October have now withdrawn. Meanwhile, an insurgency by extremist Hutus continues in Burundi.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the UN is taking to prevent the conflict in eastern Zaire spreading throughout the great lakes region. [1216]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorThe UN Secretary-General sent Assistant Secretary-General Ibrahima Fall on a good offices mission to Zaire to assess the situation. He has now appointed a special envoy to visit the region with a humanitarian-political-military team. A special representative will be appointed after the special envoy's mission.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently received regarding the security and humanitarian situation in Zaire; and if he will make a statement. [1212]
§ Dr. FoxMy right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the security and humanitarian situation with the Zairean Prime Minister on 22 October. My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker met the Rwandan Foreign Minister on 31 October. We are urging restraint and dialogue to resolve the situation. We remain in close touch with other regional Governments, with UN and EU partners, as well as with the humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations involved. Aid agencies believe there are sufficient stocks available in the region to meet immediate needs.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign224W and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has participated in recently (a) in the UN and (b) within the EU concerning the situation in Zaire. [1214]
§ Dr. FoxThe General Affairs Council discussed Zaire on 28 October and issued a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and urgent dialogue to resolve the crisis in eastern Zaire. The Un Security Council conducts regular discussions on the situation there.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the Government have made to the UN Secretary-General's call for an emergency mission to go to Zaire. [1217]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorThe UK has expressed its support in the Security Council for an emergency mission to go to Zaire.