HC Deb 17 May 1999 vol 331 c241W
Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contact there has been with the Government of Sudan about the bombing by the USA of the factory in Khartoum; and if he will make a statement. [84227]

Mr. Robin Cook

We have been in regular contact with the Government of Sudan since the withdrawal of staff from Khartoum last August. Discussions have covered a whole range of issues, including Al Shifa. We are hopeful of a return to normal relations with the Sudan.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support the action of the USA in bombing the factory in Khartoum, Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [84226]

Mr. Robin Cook

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave his support to the US action last August as action against international terrorists. As Her Majesty's Government have said on many occasions since, the US told us at the time of the strike on Al Shifa that they had compelling evidence that the plant was being used for the production of chemical weapons materials.