Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Monday, 1 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 2004. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004 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 he has had with the US Secretary of State about the US Administration's formal declaration of genocide in Darfur; and if the UK Government will make an equivalent declaration.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US Secretary of State about the US Administration's formal declaration of genocide in Darfur; and if the UK Government will make an equivalent declaration. [196199] Mr. Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had regular discussions with the US Secretary of State about the situation in Darfur. During discussions following Colin Powell's declaration to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 9 September, both the Foreign Secretary and Colin Powell agreed that the key priority was to stop the fighting. The UK and US Governments have been working closely to achieve this. We therefore co-sponsored Security Council resolution 1564, which called for the establishment of the International Commission of Inquiry. This Commission began its work on 25 October. It will be for the Commission to determine the nature of the crimes which have taken place in Darfur and to make recommendations on how they should be dealt with.

Secondary information