HC Deb 20 May 2003 vol 405 c727W
John Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with President Kagame of Rwanda regarding(a) Rwanda's plans to redeploy troops in Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (b) the political situation in Rwanda; [113135]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with President Museveni of Uganda regarding Uganda's redeployment and subsequent withdrawal of troops in Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; [113136]

(3) if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent talks with President Kagame of Rwanda and President Museveni of Uganda on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; [113138]

(4) what recent discussions he has had with President Kagame of Rwanda regarding preparations to conclude the post-genocide transition period in Rwanda as defined by the Arusha Accords; [113144]

(5) what recent discussions he has had with President Kagame of Rwanda regarding (a) the explulsion of the Democratic Republican Movement from the Rwandan Parliament and (b) the need for free and fair elections in Rwanda; [113134]

(6) if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent talks with President Kagame of Rwanda and President Museveni of Uganda on relations between the two countries. [113137]

Mr. Rammell

My right honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary met President Kagame on 7 May 2003. They discussed a range of subjects, including relations between Rwanda and Uganda, the conclusion of the post-genocide transition period in Rwanda, the handling of the forthcoming elections, and the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

My right hon Friend the Foreign Secretary did not meet President Museveni of Uganda during the latter's visit to UK on 7-8 May. President Museveni attended talks with President Kagame hosted by my right honourable Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Clare Short), the then International Development Secretary. In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of these talks the two Presidents expressed their gratitude to the UK Government for facilitating dialogue between them and agreed to continue to work to regain their former fraternal relations. I have placed a copy of the communique in the Library of the House.

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