§ Ms KinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2001,Official Report, columns 735–36W, on arms exports, on what dates in 1998, at which locations, and at what levels contacts were made between his Department and MINURSO; which department of the UN told his Department that refurbishment could be considered as neutral; if this decision was confirmed in correspondence; and what specific role MINURSO was understood to play in the monitoring and the refurbishment of guns. [154488]
§ Mr. WilsonForeign and Commonwealth Office and MINURSO officials had regular contacts, at all levels, in the region to discuss Western Sahara during 1998. As a result of contacts between FCO and United Nations officials, FCO officials came to a preliminary view that refurbishment of the guns would not breach the existing ceasefire.
The United Nations Department of Peace-Keeping Operations in New York told us that refurbishment of the guns could be viewed as neutral. This was not the subject of written correspondence between FCO and United Nations officials. The FCO understood that, in accordance with existing military arrangements between MINURSO and the two parties, MINURSO would be in a position to monitor the procedure of the refurbishment of the Moroccan guns on the ground.
§ Ms KinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place between his Department and(a) the United Nations and (b) MINURSO regarding the legality of permitting the refurbishment of Moroccan 105 mm guns situated in Western Sahara; on what dates these discussion took place; with which UN Department; at what grades; and in which location. [154489]
§ Mr. WilsonForeign and Commonwealth Office and United Nations officials discussed whether or not refurbishment of the Moroccan guns in Western Sahara would be in breach of the UN-sponsored ceasefire. The United Nations Department of Peace-Keeping Operations in New York confirmed to the FCO that refurbishment of the guns would not be in breach of the existing military arrangements between MINURSO and the two parties.
FCO officials have regular discussions with the United Nations officials on a wide range of issues on Western Sahara and the region. Discussions about the possible refurbishment of Moroccan guns in Western Sahara formed part of these wider discussions during 1998 and 1999. Discussions were between officials at a variety of grades and took place in the region with MINURSO officials and in New York with Department of Peace-Keeping Operations officials.