(1)   What is the Government’s position on the public order and security cooperation agreement signed in March 2007 between Angola and Zimbabwe.

(2) (a)   Is the Minister aware of reports that 2 500 Angolan paramilitary police have been sent to Zimbabwe to assist the regime of President Mugabe in cracking down on unrest; and (b) can the Government verify whether these Angolan forces have in fact been deployed.

(3)   If there are in fact Angolan paramilitary police working with President Mugabe’s regime: (a) what is the Government’s position on that deployment; and (b) will the Government consider punitive action against Angola.

(1)   The Government is not aware of the contents of the agreement on public order and security cooperation signed in March 2007 between Angola and Zimbabwe. Press reports indicate that it relates to international security issues such as terrorism, arms trafficking and people trafficking.

(2)   I am aware of reports, that have subsequently been denied by both the Angolan and Zimbabwean Governments, that a number of Angolan paramilitary police were to be deployed to Zimbabwe from April 2007. According to information available to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the reports were not accurate and no Angolan security or police forces have been or are planned to be deployed to Zimbabwe at the present time.

(3)   See answer to question (2).