§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the projects planned by his Department that are to be run in Liberia; what the(a) structure, (b) aims and (c) methods of each project are, and the projected schedule for project (i) initiation and (ii) conclusion; and if he will make a statement. [133647]
§ Hilary BennWe have committed a total of £7.6 million this year for humanitarian programmes in Liberia, these are managed by the UN and other international relief agencies. An inter-departmental mission will visit Liberia in November. It will assess the current needs of the country, and the measures being taken by the international community, particularly through the UN, to assist the Transitional National Government to address them. The mission will make recommendations for the future role of the UK.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the issue of(a) short-term emergency aid, (b) medium-term humanitarian aid and (c) long-term development assistance to Liberia; what programmes (i) were outlined to him and (ii) he outlined; when and where these discussions took place; and if he will make a statement. [133648]
§ Hilary BennDFID has been in regular contact with officials from USAID. In addition the FCO have regular discussions with the US Government concerning all aspects of the co-ordination of aid in Liberia. An inter-departmental mission will visit Liberia in November and will have further discussions with US officials on their plans. We understand that these may include support to security sector reform. There are provisional plans for a donor conference on Liberia, probably in December, at which donors will coordinate and exchange information on their intentions.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions(a) his Department and (b) representatives of the Government have had with representatives of the governments of (i) EU member states, (ii) Norway, (iii) EU accession candidate countries, (iv) the US, (v) ECOWAS member states, (vi) Commonwealth member states and (vii) Japan on the subject of post-conflict reconstruction in Liberia; when and where these discussions took place; what concerns were raised during each discussion and by whom; and if he will make a statement. [133649]
§ Hilary BennDiscussions on Liberia, by DFID and the FCO, have taken place with a range of governments and agencies. These have included EU member states, particularly France, Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy concerning aid to Liberia. We have also discussed with Norway the possibility of Norwegian police officers being seconded to UNMIL. We have had regular contact with the U.S. on all aspects of the situation in Liberia. We have had close and continuing contact with694W ECOWAS concerning its role in Liberia, and have contributed £1 million, to its international force. There has been contact with other states. We have had close contact with the European Commission concerning their intentions in Liberia.
Discussions are taking place on arrangements for a possible donors conference on Liberia in mid December. This will be an opportunity for the international community to coordinate its proposals.