§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Morocco concerning the conduct and timing of the referendum on the future of Western Sahara. [96838]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 1 November 1999]: We raise the situation in the Western Sahara regularly in our bilateral dealings with the Moroccan Government. The Secretary of State met his Moroccan counterpart in April and I expect to make contact with them soon.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the UN Secretary-General concerning the conduct and timing of the referendum on the future of Western Sahara. [96839]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 1 November 1999]: We are in regular contact with the UN Secretary-General on the Western Sahara through our Mission in New York and through our Ambassador in Rabat. We fully support both the content of the UN referendum process and the Secretary-General's planned timetable.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's contribution to the UN's work in Western Sahara. [96840]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 1 November 1999]: From September 1991 until September 1993, the UK contributed 15 military observers including the Chief of Staff to MINURSO, the United Nations' Mission for the Referendum in the Western Sahara.
Since the establishment of the mission, the UK has been liable for its share of UN assessed contributions. In the last financial year, the UK paid £2,359,371 in assessed contributions to MINURSO.
We continue to support UN efforts to bring about a lasting peace to the Western Sahara and believe that a free and fair referendum represents the best way forward unless the parties can agree an alternative political solution.