HC Deb 04 July 2002 vol 388 cc549-50W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [66184]

Clare Short

The various technical and economic agreements reached at the recent Inter-Congolese Dialogue at Sun City represented some progress towards a settlement of the conflict in the DRC, but the key agreement on an inclusive transitional government has not yet been achieved. We are working actively within the UN and directly with the parties concerned to help promote an inclusive agreement, which will be an essential basis for agreeing a constitution and planning elections. We also need to make progress on DDR and a halt to the arming of negative forces so that the security of Rwanda and Burundi can be improved and a phased withdrawal of foreign forces agreed. I plan to visit Kinshasa at the end of July to discuss these issues further with President Kabila and explore what more the UK can do to help.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action has been taken by(a) the United Kingdom Government and (b) the international community as a result of the UN Panel investigation into illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo published in November 2001. [65559]

Clare Short

The November 2001 report was the second produced by the UN Panel on resource exploitation in the DRC. At the request of the Panel, the UN Security Council took note of the report and recommended that the Secretary General grant an extension of the Panel's mandate for a further six months to prepare a final report which is due in August. It is anticipated that this will provide an updated assessment of the situation and make recommendations to the UN and international community on specific actions which should be taken to help end the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth of the DRC. We shall study the final report carefully and participate fully in the Security Council's deliberations on its recommendations. In the meantime, the UK has encouraged the Governments of countries mentioned in the Panel's reports to take the allegations seriously and investigate the activities of the individuals and organisations named therein.