§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation his Department has made of the role of Russia in the decision by the Northern Alliance to occupy Kabul. [22170]
§ Mr. BradshawIn Kabul, the Northern Alliance took over a city abandoned by the Taliban. We are not aware of any Russian role in this decision.
Russia has made a valuable humanitarian contribution to the coalition's campaign against terrorism. We also welcomed their political support for the Bonn conference and the newly agreed Interim Administration.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the expected nature and extent of Russian influence in post-conflict Afghanistan. [22172]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Russian Government welcomed the results of the Bonn conference and saw it as an important step towards a post-conflict settlement in Afghanistan. We expect their political support to continue to ensure implementation of the decisions adopted. We also expect this to be reinforced by on-going humanitarian assistance (including medicines, a field hospital and de-mining assistance).
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support an investigation into events at Mazar-i-Sharif to establish(a) whether adequate steps were taken at the outset (i) to deter a revolt and (ii) to prevent access to the weapons used for the revolt, (b) the circumstances under which Taliban prisoners who had their hands bound were killed and (c) the standard of treatment of Taliban fighters (I) who tried to surrender, (2) became incapacitated and (3) who otherwise stopped fighting. [22205]
§ Mr. BradshawWe take very seriously our obligations under the Geneva Conventions with regard to the enforcement of international law and have urged the Northern Alliance to treat humanely all those who have surrendered and are taken prisoner. But we do not think it appropriate to call for an investigation into the events at Mazar-i-Sharif at the present time.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UK will be involved in setting up procedures for the(a) safe surrender, (b) disarming and (c) detention of captured fighters in Afghanistan. [22203]
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§ Mr. BradshawMost fighters in Afghanistan are being held by the Northern Alliance or other Afghan groups. We have urged those groups to set up the necessary procedures to handle prisoners in accordance with international norms. We would look to the ICRC to monitor these procedures. The UK itself does not have sufficient forces on the ground to handle captured fighters.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UK Government and their coalition allies in Afghanistan provide logistic support to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners in their custody. [22202]
§ Mr. BradshawThe UK does not have sufficient forces on the ground to provide logistical support nor handle captured fighters in Afghanistan. We have urged the Northern Alliance to treat humanely all those who are prisoners in their custody.