Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last held discussions with representatives of the Governments of(a) Ethiopia and (b) Eritrea about the war between these two countries; and if he will make a statement. [124499]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 5 June 2000]As I told the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 577W, I last spoke to the Ethiopian Ambassador on 23 May about the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, when I strongly criticised Ethiopia's resumption of fighting with Eritrea.
I will discuss the conflict with the recently arrived Eritrean Ambassador when he makes his introductory call on me on 8 June. I will reiterate our strong belief that only a negotiated settlement will bring a lasting peace to the region.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his arms policy towards(a) Ethiopia and (b) Eritrea. [124501]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 5 June 2000]I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell and Wishaw (Mr. Roy) on 18 May 2000,Official Report, column 223W.