Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 28 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact on the (a) security and (b) humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwandan Joint Border Verification Mechanism established in the Pretoria peace accord of September 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the impact on the (a) security and (b) humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwandan Joint Border Verification Mechanism established in the Pretoria peace accord of September 2002; and if he will make a statement. [224577] Mr. Mullin: The Joint Verification Mechanism (JVM) between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda did not become operational until December 2004. It has been a useful confidence-building measure, and combined with the strengthened mandate and more robust approach of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, is helping to maintain pressure on the Forces De«mocratiques de Libe«ration du Rwanda, who declared in Rome on 31 March that they would disarm. We call on them to do so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1486W;432 c1482W; 224577
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Borders Foreign relations Free movement of people Peacekeeping operations Security Peace negotiations Democratic Republic of the Congo Rwanda
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk