§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if she will make a statement on the talks taking place in South Africa. [44891]
§ Clare ShortTo date DFID has provided £525,000 in support of the direct costs of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue. This is supplemented by a contribution of £650,000 to the Radio Okapi project which is disseminating information on the peace process to the Congolese people, and £160,000 to assist peace and reconciliation in the Kivus. We continue to press all signatories to the Lusaka Peace Agreement to honour their commitments and work constructively towards a full peace settlement in the region. It is paramount that the delegates currently engaged in the Sun City talks avoid further prevarication and commit themselves to the critical task of reaching agreement on arrangements for a transitional government and timetable for free876W elections. Much time has already been lost in the Dialogue and it is crucial that real progress is now seen, for the sake of all of the people of the region.