§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of East Timor about the rights of opposition parties. [177421]
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§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Government have not made any representation to the Government of East Timor about the rights of opposition parties. East Timor is a democratic society with universal suffrage and a multiparty system. The right to establish and participate in political parties is enshrined in East Timor's constitution.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK's financial contribution to the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor is. [177428]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UK contributed £215,847 to the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) in FY 2003–04. This brings our total contribution to the CAVR since it was established in January 2002 to £580,000.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the United Nations to continue to monitor security in East Timor, with particular reference to the activities of Islamic militant groups operating in the region. [177430]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UN monitors the security situation in East Timor very closely. In May this year, the UN Mission in Support of East Timor, with a continued peacekeeping element, was extended for a further six months as part of a one-year consolidation phase. This is to ensure that the emerging institutions in East Timor, including the security forces, develop the capacity to maintain security and stability in East Timor.