Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 5 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 February 1998. It was answered by Derek Fatchett (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 February 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will comment on Her Majesty's Government policy towards the Khartoum Peace Agreement.

Answer: Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government policy towards the Khartoum Peace Agreement. [28663] Mr. Fatchett: The Agreement contains positive elements, notably the commitments to self-determination and to respect for human rights. But the main group fighting the Government of Sudan, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, is not a party. They prefer to pursue the regional peace initiative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development which has the support of the British and other western governments. We have urged the Government of Sudan to demonstrate its commitment to peace by implementation of the Khartoum Agreement's clauses on human rights and by improving its treatment of Southerners. We have yet to see significant progress on this.

Secondary information