HC Deb 17 June 1998 vol 314 cc245-6W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives were agreed at the recent meeting of the IGAD Partners Forum in The Hague; what role the United Kingdom Government will play in efforts to achieve peace; and if he will make a statement. [45960]

Mr. Fatchett

The IGAD Partners Forum in The Hague has yet to take place. It is due to meet from 17 to 18 June. I will represent the UK.

The conference will provide an opportunity to reinvigorate the IGAD peace process by developing an action plan for consideration when the talks resume in Addis Ababa in August. The UK will play a full part in the meeting and will remain engaged thereafter.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the United Kingdom Government are planning to make to the IGAD members and the warring parties in Sudan before the forthcoming meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in August.[45961]

Mr. Fatchett

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Partnership Forum, of which we are a member, has convened a meeting in the Hague from 17 to 18 June. The objective is to re-invigorate the IGAD peace process and to propose an action plan that will be put forward when the IGAD peace talks reconvene in Addis Ababa in August.

All the Sudanese parties will be represented along with the members of IGAD and international partners. I will represent HMG.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial support the United Kingdom Government have given for the IGAD peace talks; and to whom it has been given. [45963]

Mr. Fatchett

HMG have offered financial support to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for work on the Sudan peace process in the past. The offer has not been taken up.

We are currently considering offering further material support in the context of discussions with IGAD and the Partners Forum.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the current peace talks on Sudan under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. [45962]

Mr. Fatchett

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development already has a permanent secretariat.