§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since 1968 a United Kingdom ambassador or high commissioner has followed a deposed democratic leader or Government into exile. [51861]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 23 July 1998]: Since April 1980, HMG has recognised states, not governments (whether in exile or otherwise).
681WThe original decision that the High Commissioner in Freetown should leave for Conakry, was taken out of concern for his safety, and that of his staff, as a result of the fighting in Freetown. His presence in Conakry, from where he monitored the situation in Sierra Leone, also allowed him to remain in contact with President Kabbah, who was based in Conakry between May 1997 and March 1998. There are no direct parallels with this case.
Two indirect parallels, however, are:
HMG continued to deal with the Kuwaiti government in Saudi Arabia as the legitimate government of Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion of August 1990. HMA Kuwait was unable to leave Kuwait City after the Iraqi invasion;following the coup in Haiti in September 1991, HMG along with the EU, the OAS and the UN continued to regard President Aristide as Haiti's democratically elected Head of State. In exile he met FCO officials, including the UK's non-resident Ambassador to Haiti based in Jamaica.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in posts overseas are working full-time to win inward investments projects for the United Kingdom, and in which countries they are serving. [54554]
§ Mr. FatchettI shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.