Written question asked by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 June 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 June 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, what recent representations he has (i) made to and (ii) received from the Presidents of (a) Nigeria, (b) Liberia and (c) Sierra Leone, regarding the ECOWAS bid to broker a ceasefire between Sierra Leone Government forces and RUF rebels.

Answer: Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has (i) made to and (ii) received from the Presidents of (a) Nigeria, (b) Liberia and (c) Sierra Leone, regarding the ECOWAS bid to broker a ceasefire between Sierra Leone Government forces and RUF rebels. [127652] Mr. Hain: We remain in regular touch with ECOWAS states over the situation in Sierra Leone. We support the efforts of ECOWAS to help restore stability throughout Sierra Leone and bring about an end to violence. President Kabbah has made clear that, before any ceasefire, the Revolutionary United Front must meet a number of conditions, including the immediate and unconditional release of all UN peacekeepers and other detainees.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 127652; 352 c447W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Sierra Leone Nigeria Peace negotiations Liberia Economic Community of West African States Ceasefires
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk