§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the cost to Zimbabwe of the military expedition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and about the sources of the finance for the operation. [73954]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe are concerned about the impact on the Zimbabwe economy of its involvement in the DRC. Zimbabwe's defence budget is one of the highest in the region. The cost of sustaining the conflict could put the region's long-term development at risk. The Government of Zimbabwe has said that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is funding the direct costs of its intervention, and that the Government of Angola is providing logistics support.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Zimbabwean Government about its decisions to send troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [73956]
§ Mr. Tony LloydI have twice raised this personally with President Mugabe, most recently when I visited Zimbabwe on 25 February. Other representations include letters from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to President Mugabe, and lobbying both here and in Harare. We have consistently urged the President to use his influence to bring about a negotiated peaceful settlement to the conflict.