HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc545-6W
Mr. Letwin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to halt the killing of civilians in Northern Uganda. [58257]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

We are appalled at the reports of atrocities committed by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda. With our partners at the UN we have strongly condemned LRA tactics; most recently at this year's session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in May. We believe there cannot be a purely military solution to the problems of northern Uganda. Both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have urged President Museveni to pursue all opportunities for dialogue as a means of resolving the conflict. We welcome recent reports for a possible Government Amnesty for rebels who give up the armed struggle as a first step towards a negotiated settlement.