§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in inhibiting the use of diamond sales for funding the war in Angola. [96084]
§ Mr. HainUN Security Council resolution 1173 of 12 June 1998 imposed a ban on the direct or indirect import from Angola of all diamonds not controlled through the Angolan Government's Certificate of Origin of Origin regime. The aim was to cut off diamond revenues to UNITA, and so reduce their ability to fund continued fighting. The UK implements the resolution through the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998.
UN Security Council resolution 1237 of 7 May 1999 established a panel of experts to investigate alleged violations of the sanctions against UNITA, in support of the work of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee. Panel members are paying a series of visits to the region, and will report on how sanctions in relation to UNITA diamonds can be implemented and enforced more effectively.
190WWe welcomed the announcement by De Beers on 5 October that they will no longer purchase any Angolan diamonds, and will urge their clients to adopt a similar policy.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UN Sanctions Committee for Angola has identified(a) the source of illegal arms importation in Angola and (b) those countries and corporations which have broken trade embargoes with Angola; and if he will make a statement. [96085]
§ Mr. HainThe UN Angola Sanctions Committee has been looking at ways to tighten implementation of UN sanctions against UNITA, but has not yet commented publicly on these matters. UN Security Council resolution 1237 of 7 May 1999 established, in support of the work of the Committee, a panel of experts with a mandate to investigate alleged violations of the sanctions against UNITA, including the arms embargo and restrictions on trade. Panel members will be paying a number of visits to the region. Based on their findings, they will issue conclusions and recommendations on how to improve implementation of the sanctions regime. The UK Government fully support the work of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee.