HC Deb 19 July 2002 vol 389 c609W
Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by UK representatives to the UN Security Council concerning the General Secretary's special report on Western Sahara to be discussed on 31 July; and if he will make a statement. [70942]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The UN Secretary General asked Security Council members to choose a suitable direction for his special envoy James Baker to pursue in helping the parties find a solution to the dispute in Western Sahara.

We have been working with all Security Council members in New York and in their capitals, and have consulted the parties and interested observers in an effort to reach a consensus direction before 31 July.

HMG continues to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General in trying to find a just and durable resolution to the dispute.

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits to the Western Sahara have been made by UK diplomatic staff in the past year; which(a) individuals and (b) organisations they met; and if he will make a statement. [70943]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Five members of UK diplomatic staff from our Embassies in Rabat and New York have visited Western Sahara in the last year.

The primary purpose of these was to visit MINURSO. Where time and schedules allowed they met as wide a range of Moroccan and Saharawi interests groups as possible. They also met UNHCR and OAU representatives.

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