§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the meetings held between the Foreign Office officials and Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Spicer in 1997 and 1998, giving the date, length of meeting and the names of officials in each case. [HL3759]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanPrior to 24 July 1998, there was no general requirement for Foreign Office officials to record contacts with private military companies. It would be impossible to list meetings prior to this date with accuracy. However, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the following contacts took place. As noted in paragraphs 5.25 and 5.31 of the Legg Report, the British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone met Lt. Col. Spicer on 23 December 1997 and on 23 January 1998, on each occasion for about one hour. On 19 January 1998, officials dealing with Sierra Leone met Lt. Col. Spicer for approximately 40 minutes. On 17 July, officials dealing with drugs and international crime met Lt. Col. Spicer for about 45 minutes. This meeting was held to warn Sandline about the character of one of their contacts in Russia.
Since 24 July, Foreign Office officials have been required to record all contacts with private military companies. On 22 September 1998, officials met Lt. Col. Spicer for about 45 minutes. This meeting was held in order to make clear to him the terms of UNSCR 1160, the Order in Council giving effect to this SCR and the EU Common Position of 19 March 1998 covering the supply of arms to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The most recent contacts with Lt. Col. Spicer have been in relation to a consular case in Angola.