§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his written statement of 31 March 2003,Official Report, column 43WS, on Diplomatic Representation (Africa), if he will set out the (a) qualitative and (b) diplomatic difference in status between the embassy in Bamako he intends to close and the office he in tends to retain there; and if he will make a statement. [106871]
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§ Mr. RammellAt present the United Kingdom has a resident Ambassador in Mali. From the early summer, the accredited Ambassador to Mali will be based in another regional capital. We plan to retain locally-engaged staff in Bamako, but the exact nature of the office there is still under consideration. We intend to use the presence of our staff in Bamako, and visits by the Ambassador and other British officials, to maintain our valuable bilateral relationship with Mali. My noble Friend the Baroness Amos will visit Bamako in April 2003 for bilateral discussions. This visit is a clear signal of our continuing commitment to Mali.