§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the UK has to provide troops to a peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [108058]
§ Mr. HainThe UK is providing six military liaison officers to the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). The Security Council is considering the Secretary General's recommendations for a large UN observer force to monitor the ceasefire. We are ready, in principle, to support this force and are keeping under review what more we may be able to provide.
§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what notifications from the Joint Military Committee and MONUC of breaches of the Lusaka ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo since its signing he has received; and how many of these ceasefire breaches involved Zimbabwean troops. [108057]
§ Mr. HainSince the signing of the Lusaka Agreement there have been allegations of ceasefire violations by both sides in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We strongly condemn all such violations.
We continue to urge the parties to report any ceasefire violations to the Joint Military Committee, which is mandated under the Lusaka Agreement to monitor compliance and resolve disputes.
At the open meeting of the Security Council on DRC in New York last week all parties reaffirmed their support for Lusaka and its principles and their commitment to its implementation.