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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Ms Kingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place between his Department and (a) the United Nations and (b) MINURSO regarding the legality of permitting the refurbishment of Moroccan 105 mm guns situated in Western Sahara; on what dates these discussion took place; with which UN Department; at what grades; and in which location. [154489] Mr. Wilson: Foreign and Commonwealth Office and United Nations officials discussed whether or not refurbishment of the Moroccan guns in Western Sahara would be in breach of the UN-sponsored ceasefire. The United Nations Department of Peace-Keeping Operations in New York confirmed to the FCO that refurbishment of the guns would not be in breach of the existing military arrangements between MINURSO and the two parties. FCO officials have regular discussions with the United Nations officials on a wide range of issues on Western Sahara and the region. Discussions about the possible refurbishment of Moroccan guns in Western Sahara formed part of these wider discussions during 1998 and 1999. Discussions were between officials at a variety of grades and took place in the region with MINURSO officials and in New York with Department of Peace- Keeping Operations officials.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

154489; 365 c68W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Arms trade Morocco UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara Western Sahara

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk