§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the recent shelling of Tamil border villages in Vavuriya and Mannar districts by the Sri Lankan armed forces and (b) the flight of Tamil civilians from these areas; and if he will urge the Sri Lankan Government to cease the offensive and withdraw Sri Lankan forces from Tamil areas. [18868]
§ Dr. Liam FoxWe have called on both sides to make every effort to avoid injuries to civilians during the current conflict. We understand that there were no civilian casualties during the Sri Lankan Government's most recent offensive. When I visited a camp for displaced Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka last year, I was granted uninhibited access to the inhabitants. The conditions were rudimentary but the inhabitants appeared clean, well fed and generally content. I was impressed by the valuable part British aid was playing in the Sri Lankan Government's continuing work to provide humanitarian supplies to those displaced by the conflict. We continue to support the Government's efforts to bring about a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict.
§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to facilitate talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Government of Sri Lanka by establishing modalities for such talks. [18871]
§ Dr. FoxWe have offered to facilitate talks, provided both sides agree. This offer remains on the table.
§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan President and Foreign Minister in regard to(a) the lifting of the restrictions presently placed on journalists travelling to the Tamil northern and eastern provinces, (b) the removal of the embargo on food and medicines on the Tamil people and (c) violations of the human rights of Tamil people by the army and security forces; and if he will consider the withdrawal of aid to the Government of Sri Lanka. [18869]
§ Dr. FoxWe regularly take opportunities to urge the Sri Lankan Government to maintain their commitment to press freedom; to continue to provide humanitarian supplies to those displaced by the conflict; and to give the highest priority to human rights issues, ensuring that violators are prosecuted. The British aid programme to Sri Lanka is for the benefit of all communities. A significant proportion supports people affected by the civil conflict.
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