§ 11. Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in former Yugoslavia. [38663]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorAlthough skirmishing has continued in north-west Bosnia, the situation is generally much quieter following the ceasefire which came into effect on 12 October. We remain concerned about the continuing tense situation in eastern Slavonia.
§ Mr. AingerIs the Minister aware of the claims that are made in European newspapers that United States intelligence services knew about three weeks before Srebrenica was overrun that that would take place? Is he further aware that the same intelligence services were tapping the phones of Generals Mladic and Pericic, the chiefs of staff of the Serbian army? Is he also aware that that information was not passed on to the United Nations, to UNPROFOR or to any of the NATO allies, including the Dutch, who were guarding the enclave? Does he realise that, as a result, some 8,000 Muslim men have disappeared, many presumed murdered? Will he now institute an inquiry into those claims? If they are proved to be true, what action will he take?
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorI do not for a moment believe that what the hon. Gentleman alleges is true. Clearly, I am not going to comment on intelligence matters but, with regard to the fall of Srebrenica, I am sure that it was regretted as much by our United States allies as by ourselves.