§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they have had with the United Nations, the European Union, the Commonwealth and African States on the way to achieve a regional political settlement in the Great Lakes Region of Africa and what progress they have to report.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe strongly supported the recent appointment of UN/OAU Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Mohamed Sahnoun, who has been entrusted with preparing for a Conference on Peace, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes under UN/OAU auspices. We strongly supported UN Security Council Resolution 1097 of 18 February endorsing the recent five-point peace plan for eastern Zaire. We also contributed to and support the EU Presidential declaration of 19 February and the General Affairs Council conclusions on the region of 23 February. We continue to be in close contact with regional leaders as they seek to tackle the problems of eastern Zaire and Burundi. We welcome the recent visit of regional Foreign Ministers to Kinshasa and the start of talks between the parties in South Africa.