Somalia December 20, 2005

20 Dec 2005 : Column WA287


Somalia

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Triesman on 19 October (WA 133) and 10 November (WA 111–2), what is their estimate of the number of vessels hijacked in Somali waters since the beginning of 2005; and whether they remain of the view that the long-term solution to piracy in these waters is a return to peace and good governance in Somalia. [HL2979]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): According to information received by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office there have been 11 confirmed hijacks and 14 reported attacks on ships in Somali waters this year, as of 13 December.

We indeed remain of the view that the long-term solution to piracy is a return to peace and good governance in Somalia.

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the United Nations Security Council with a view to the council providing alternative transitional arrangements for the administration of government in Somalia, bearing in mind the prospects for reconciliation between the Jowhar and Mogadishu factions. [HL2980]

Lord Triesman: The Somalia National Reconciliation Conference led to the formation of the Transitional Federal Government and Parliament, whose members are currently having discussions to resolve their differences. We and other United Nations Security Council members have supported the establishment of the Transitional Federal Government, which we believe offers the best prospect of restoring effective governance to Somalia.
Stansted Airport