P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:38 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised reports of the illegal supply of weapons to Sierra Leone with his British counterpart. [12395/98]
Written Answers. - Arms Exports.
The Government is aware of allegations relating to the illegal supply of weapons by a British company to Sierra Leone in possible contravention of UN sanctions. These allegations are now the subject of an independent inquiry which was announced by the British Government on 18 May and is to publish a report of its findings. Any breach of international sanctions against Sierra Leone will be a matter for the relevant United Nations Security Council Committee which has been charged with overseeing their implementation under Security Council Resolution 1132 of October 1997. It would not be appropriate for the Government to pre-empt the work of either the British independent inquiry or the United Nations Security Council in relation to this matter.