HC Deb 30 January 2001 vol 362 cc147-8W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the peace process in Colombia and on the support that Her Majesty's Government are making available to(a) the Colombian and (b) non-governmental organisations. [147023]

Mr. Battle

We fully support the efforts being made for peace and the protection of human rights and democracy in Colombia. The recent announcement of a preliminary agreement between the Colombian Government and the ELN is a welcome development. But we are concerned that peace talks between the Government and the FARC are at a standstill. In a statement issued on 19 January, we and our EU partners urged the FARC to immediately resume negotiations and, to facilitate the peace talks, appealed for the demilitarised zone to be extended beyond the current deadline of 31 January.

EU assistance for the peace process of 105 million euro over the period 2000–06 will support human rights, long-term economic and social development and an end to violence. The UK has played a leading role in helping to ensure that NGOs and civil society groups are fully involved. NGOs and civil society groups made a valuable contribution to meetings attended by the Colombian Government in Costa Rica on 17 October and Bogota on 24 October 2000. We shall continue to encourage this dialogue.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of plans for the international community to engage in efforts to aid the Colombian military with respect to combating drug trafficking. [147024]

Mr. Battle

Peace in Colombia will remain elusive until a concerted effort is made to tackle violence, inequality, poverty and social injustice and illegal drugs cultivation and trafficking. We and our EU partners place particular importance on the defence of human rights and international humanitarian law; assistance for victims of violence and the need to uphold the rule of law; protection of biodiversity and the environment; and support for regional co-operation. The EU package for Colombia of 105 million euro announced in October 2000 will focus on these areas. Our policy also stresses alternative development and voluntary eradication. US support for Colombia places a high priority on an anti-narcotics strategy, although a significant proportion of the US$1.3 billion package will also contribute to institutional-building, human rights and strengthening access to justice.

We will continue to work with the Colombian authorities and local communities for long-term solutions.

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