Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 October 2006.

Sudan: Darfur

Question: What role they are playing to ensure that an international peacekeeping presence in Darfur will be sustained; and whether they envisage a role for British and NATO troops in such a peacekeeping force.

Answer: The UK is continuing to support the African Union (AU) mission in Darfur (AMIS). We were its first donor and have to date provided £52 million of assistance. This has been used for budgetary support, to purchase vehicles and other equipment, and to airlift troops to and from Darfur. The AU is now planning to increase the size of AMIS by two battalions (approximately 1,200 troops). We stand ready to assist it in this. Meanwhile, at our urging, the UN is helping to bolster AMIS prior to any transition to a UN force. We are considering contributing additional UK personnel as part of the UN assistance package to the AU, before a UN peacekeeping force deploys as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1706.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7581; 685 c183-4WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Armed forces Deployment Development aid Peacekeeping operations United Nations Sudan African Union Darfur
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk