To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the (a) military equipment and (b) troops required for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1843; what steps he is taking to seek to meet such requirements; and if he will make a statement. (282830)

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) will be bolstered with the arrival of the additional infantry, engineers, and special forces mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1843 in the next few months. Several member states have expressed interest in providing the 200 military trainers mandated, but at present the concept for their use is still being developed by the UN Secretariat. MONUC has not been able to acquire all of the air assets or intelligence equipment that it has requested. We continue to lobby the UN Secretariat and UN member states to contribute these assets to the mission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the capacity of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect civilians in (a) North and (b) South Kivu; and if he will make a statement. (282831)

In recent months, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) has enhanced its ability to protect civilians in the Kivus by reorganising its resources to a more mobile posture and through the creation of joint civilian and military protection teams. However, given the difficult terrain and mobility of rebel groups, MONUC is unlikely to be able to prevent all isolated attacks on civilians. But the additional troops that will arrive in coming months will further increase MONUC's capacity to implement its mandate.