Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions his Department has had with the governments of (a) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Rwanda and (c) Uganda regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with the Governments of (a) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Rwanda and (c) Uganda regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [136861] Hilary Benn: The UK is seeking to help resolve conflict and establish conditions for genuine development in the whole of the Great Lakes region. We have maintained a close dialogue with the former Government and now the Transitional National Government (TNG) in Kinshasa and with the Governments of Rwanda and Uganda on the need for good neighbourly relations as the basis for national and regional stability. We continue to do so. Both Rwanda and Uganda have taken positive steps recently to normalise their relations with the TNG in DRC, including mutual ministerial visits and the signing in New York on 25 September 2003 of a Good Neighbourly Pact, which included commitments that all support for armed groups should end and that there should be no illegal exploitation of natural resources of the DRC.

Secondary information