§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the Great Lakes Region of UN Security Council Resolution 1291. [113425]
§ Mr. HainThe adoption of Security Council Resolution 1291, providing for the establishment of a substantial UN observer force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is an important step forward. It is a clear demonstration of the Security Council's readiness to provide practical support to the Lusaka Agreement. It provides the framework for the UN and the international community to play a significant role in bringing peace to the Great Lakes region.
Britain wants to see results. That is why we want the observer force to deploy quickly so that it can begin its work, which includes drawing up an action plan for the comprehensive disarmament, demobilisation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRR) of all armed groups listed in the Lusaka Agreement. A credible DDRR plan is vital to the success of Lusaka and to lasting peace in the region.
And, as I made clear at January's special Security Council meeting, Britain is ready to consider a full UN peacekeeping force if the observer force deploys successfully, and the Lusaka signatories carry through their commitments.