Written question asked by Hugh Bayley (Labour) on Monday, 12 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 May 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 May 2003 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 progress has been made with lifting sanctions on the Angola rebels; and what the prospects are for holding free elections in Angola by 2005.

Answer: Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with lifting sanctions on the Angola rebels; and what the prospects are for holding free elections in Angola by 2005. [113642] Mr. Rammell: All sanctions on UNITA were lifted on 9 December 2002, by the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1448 (2002). The US, EU and others have updated their domestic regulations to reflect this, or are in the process of doing so. The Government of Angola has not yet announced a date for elections, but the focus is on 2004-05. Before elections can be held, it is essential that proper electoral processes are put in place, including voter registration and education, to ensure that elections are transparent, free and fair.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 113642; 405 c722W;405 c720W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Elections Politics and government UN resolutions Sanctions UNITA Angola
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk