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Following the announcement on 22 July, both the National Congress Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement have said publicly that they accept the court's decision. Our ambassador visited Abyei on 2 and 3 August with the Assessment and Evaluation Commission Three Areas Working Group. The purpose of the visit was to urge the Dinka and Misseriya communities to accept the 22 July Abyei arbitration decision. We continue to follow implementation of the award closely and urge all parties to honour the commitments they have made.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on southern Sudan of inter-tribal conflicts and access to armaments which may be supplied by the north, and any implications for the elections in 2010; and whether they will make representations to the Government of National Unity to investigate that situation and to ensure that no arms are being made available to parties to any conflict in southern Sudan. [HL5301]
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We are deeply concerned at the escalation in tribal fighting in southern Sudan in recent months. This fighting is having a terrible impact on the ordinary lives of Sudanese and displacing many thousands of people, as well as fostering mistrust and suspicion among communities ahead of planned national elections in 2010 and the 2011 referendum on self-determination.
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There are a number of factors which have contributed to the violence, including continuing tensions between tribes and former militias who were on different sides during the north-south civil war, the widespread availability of small arms and the existence of a security vacuum in many parts of the region.
We have urged all parties to do all they can to ensure that the root causes of the violence are addressed. The UK is also providing significant support to the police service of southern Sudan and to community security and arms control programmes.
Sudan: Darfur
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to reports from the Commander of the United Nations—African Union Mission in Darfur that the war is effectively over; and what assessment have they made of counter-claims by organisations such as the International Crisis Group that the underlying causes of the conflict remain, with the likelihood that violence will return. [HL5453]
The Minister for Europe (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): We agree with General Agwai that levels of organised violence and fighting between Sudan armed forces and armed movements in Darfur have declined significantly in comparison to levels experienced in 2003-05, and that conflict in Darfur is now more characterised by banditry and local disputes. But levels of lawlessness and insecurity remain high and humanitarian access poor. We also share the view of many international observers that the causes and consequences of conflict have yet to be addressed, and that without this there can be no sustainable peace in Darfur.
Turkey: Ergenekon Case
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British or European Union officials are observing the trial in Turkey of those accused in the Ergenekon case. [HL5350]
The Minister for Europe (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): British and EU officials have yet to attend the trial. We do, however, follow developments in the Ergenekon case closely and expect the highest international standards to be upheld throughout the investigation and trial. We discuss the issue regularly with EU colleagues.
Turkey: EU Accession
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether during accession negotiations the European Union has presented to Turkey a statement concerning the changes considered necessary in Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, penal code and constitution; and, if not, whether they will take steps for that to be done. [HL5351]
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The Minister for Europe (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): Changes which the European Commission and the European Council believe to be necessary to Turkey's anti-terrorism law, penal code and constitution are set out in the annual Progress Report and the Accession Partnership at http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ pdf/press_corner/key-documents/reports_nov_2008/turkey_progress_report_en.pdf (pages 74, 14/15 and 6 respectively).
They are also covered in more detail in expert reports commissioned by the European Union and are discussed with the Turkish authorities as part of the political dialogue.
Turkey: Halki
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Turkey to suggest the reopening of the Greek Orthodox seminary on the island of Halki. [HL5383]
The Minister for Europe (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): We have regularly raised the issue of the Greek Orthodox Halki seminary in bilateral discussions with the Turkish Government, who have assured us that they are working to develop a formula which would allow Halki to be re-opened on terms acceptable to the Greek Orthodox community, without contravening constitutional provisions on state supervision of religious education. This issue is routinely raised by the European Union as part of the political dialogue with Turkey, and highlighted in the European Commission's annual progress report on Turkey's accession.
Uganda: Lord's Resistance Army
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with the governments of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and of Uganda, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo a military operation under Article 42 of the United Nations Charter to capture or eliminate terrorists in the Lord's Resistance Army. [HL5407]
The Minister for Europe (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): Agreement between the Governments of Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and south Sudan led to a joint military operation, Lightning Thunder, against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), which began in December 2008. We regularly discussed the progress of the operation with the Governments involved.
Operation Lightning Thunder is now over, but military operations designed to put further pressure on the LRA are continuing. We continue to raise this issue regularly, most recently on 9 September 2009, with the Ugandan Foreign Minister, and with the UN Mission to the DRC (MONUC) in Kinshasa and Kampala. The situation is also discussed at the UN Security Council at least every quarter. There are currently no plans for a Chapter 7 mandated operation against the LRA.
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