HC Deb 09 November 1998 vol 319 c2W
Sir Alastair Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the European Commission about assistance to Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [58344]

Clare Short

We have had frequent discussions in recent months with the European Commission about assistance to Afghanistan. We and they are extremely concerned about the security of expatriate personnel in Afghanistan, and about the constraints which the actions of the Taliban and other factions have imposed on assistance activities. Our common objective is to secure an improvement in conditions in Afghanistan which will allow for the principled and effective delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance.