Written question asked by Edward Leigh (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 June 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 12 June 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development, if he will make a statement on the purpose of the Interim Emergency Multinational Force to be deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with particular reference to disarming the militia groups in Ituri province.

Answer: Mr. Leigh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the purpose of the Interim Emergency Multinational Force to be deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with particular reference to disarming the militia groups in Ituri province. [118471] Hilary Benn: The objectives of the Interim Emergency Multinational Force (IEMF) are to assist the UN by providing a short-term interim force to enable the reinforcement of the UN MONUC forces in Bunia in the Ituri province. The IEMF aims to contribute to the security of Bunia in order to allow the Ituri Interim Administration to function and improve the humanitarian situation. It also aims to protect the airport and the internally displaced persons in the camps in Bunia and, if the situation requires it, contribute to the safety of the population and of UN personnel in the town. The disarming of militia groups, most of which are outside Bunia, will not be part of the lEMF's mandate.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 118471; 406 c990W;406 c994W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Peacekeeping operations Democratic Republic of the Congo Multinational forces
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk