§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Liberia. [129826]
§ Mr. MullinI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) on 8 September 2003,Official Report, column 63W.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the members of ECOWAS about(a) UK, (b) EU and (c) UN assistance in Liberia; when these discussions took place; what the outcome of these discussions has been; and if he will make a statement. [129975]
677W
§ Mr. MullinThe UK is committed to working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure that the present Multi-National Force, and the UN Mission planned for Liberia, are successful in restoring peace and security to Liberia. We have been in close and regular contact with members of ECOWAS, especially Nigeria, over assistance in Liberia.
We have had discussions within the European Union to ensure adequate funding for Liberia. We have also had discussions within the UN to ensure that the UN Mission is fully equipped to do its job. We have committed £1 million to the ECOWAS Multi-National Force, and have seconded a military adviser to the ECOWAS Secretariat. We have also offered military advisers to the UN planning mission and head quarters.