Written question asked by Tony Worthington (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Monday, 14 February 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 discussions have taken place with the Ukrainian government about restricting the supply of tanks and other arms to Angola; and what was the outcome.

Answer: Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Ukrainian Government about restricting the supply of tanks and other arms to Angola; and what was the outcome. [109256] Mr. Hain: UN Security Council Resolution 864 of 15 September 1993 imposed an embargo on the sale of arms and petroleum products to Angola except through specific entry points named by the Government of Angola. The aim of this was to prevent arms from reaching the UNITA rebel movement. Ukraine has made clear its commitment to increasing the effectiveness of UN sanctions. It is currently a member of the UN Security Council. We have been in regular touch with the Ukrainian authorities, both in London and Kiev, about the problems of equipment of Ukrainian origin reaching the UNITA rebel movement in Angola. Ukrainian Government sales of equipment to the Angolan Government are not covered by the UN sanctions against UNITA. I am sending a team of officials to Kiev between 14 and 17 March for detailed discussions with the Ukrainian authorities on how we can co-operate to prevent this.

Secondary information