Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Judd (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 21 December 2010.

Africa: Ivory Coast

Question: Does the noble Lord agree that there is a danger of a trend towards tokenism in the international presence in these situations, and that this is disastrous for the effectiveness of the UN? Does he also agree that if this is to be put right, it is absolutely essential that in the Government's approach to the reform of the UN they give priority to increasing the effectiveness of the military planning staff at the disposal of the Secretary-General?

Answer: The noble Lord is right that a more effective arrangement of that kind should be followed through in precisely the way that he suggests. However, ““putting right”” is a big phrase in the present situation. The pressures from outside are bound to have some limitation on them, and within this hapless country there are hideous and dangerous rivalries that I am afraid have been there for many years and are nowhere near being resolved at the moment.

Secondary information