Written question asked by Liz Blackman (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 July 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Thursday, 27 July 2000 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 violations of the United Nations sanctions against UNITA are continuing; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Liz Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if violations of the United Nations sanctions against UNITA are continuing; and if he will make a statement. [133608] Mr. Hain: Sadly, we have reason to believe that violations of the sanctions against UNITA are continuing. We are aware of reports that UNITA continue to fuel their war effort by selling diamonds, and that such private sales have taken place recently in Libreville, Gabon. We have heard that another private sale may be held in Libreville within the next month. We will be raising these reports urgently with the Gabonese authorities, and urging them to do everything in their power to prevent this illicit trade. We will also be passing this information to the Chairman of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee. We also have reason to believe that Victor Bout continues to supply arms to Angola in breach of the UN arms embargo. We call on all States to fulfil their international obligations to implement and enforce the mandatory sanctions imposed by the Security Council of the United Nations; there can be no excuse for any State to provide support for Bout in his continued flouting of UN sanctions.

Secondary information