§ 9. Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his United States and European counterparts over the discovery of mass graves of victims of mass murder in Bosnia. [12351]
§ Mr. RifkindI am in regular contact with my United States and European counterparts about implementation of the peace agreement, which obliges the parties to co-operate fully with the international war crimes tribunal, including by giving it unrestricted access to all sites and persons. We strongly support its work.
§ Mr. WinnickIs it not clear that some of the mass graves so far discovered in Bosnia are only one sign of the appalling crimes and atrocities carried out, in the main, on the instructions of the Serbian warlords and, in particular, following the capture of Srebrenica last July? Is the Foreign Secretary aware that the international community and IFOR have an obligation to ensure that all the people held responsible for war crimes in former Yugoslavia—yes, including the parts not controlled by the Serbs, although most people would agree that the bulk of the crimes and atrocities were carried out on the Serbian side—are brought before the international war crimes tribunal? What efforts will be made to ensure that that happens?
§ Mr. RifkindSo far, 45 Serbs and seven Croats have been indicted as alleged war criminals. IFOR has clear 320 instructions to detain any individuals indicted by the tribunal should they be encountered during operations and, if they are apprehended, to transfer them to the tribunal.
§ Sir Patrick CormackDoes my right hon. and learned Friend agree that it would be a grotesque paradox if octogenarians were prosecuted for war crimes in this country and the people responsible for the appalling atrocity just mentioned were not?
§ Mr. RifkindI do not find it necessary to make a comparison. I would simply say that the people who have been indicted as war criminals should, if it is physically possible, be brought to trial on the charges that they face.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellDoes the Foreign Secretary recognise that public support for NATO forces' presence in former Yugoslavia is largely based on the natural revulsion of this country's people at ethnic cleansing? If that support is to be maintained, should not NATO be giving the utmost active support to the people investigating war crimes, including securing evidence and taking steps to apprehend war criminals?
§ Mr. RifkindNATO is indeed giving active co-operation. IFOR will conduct aerial reconnaissance over the region as well as foot patrols. It will seek to assist the war crimes tribunal with regard to any evidence of, for example, war graves that might be linked to prosecutions that are being brought by the tribunal.
§ Lady Olga MaitlandWhat consultations has my right hon. and learned Friend had with NATO representatives regarding the protection of the mass graves as they come to light? Is he aware that unless the graves are protected, evidence may be covered up, and the perpetrators of those atrocities may never be brought to justice?
§ Mr. RifkindI agree with my hon. Friend. Although on occasions it will be difficult, every effort needs to be made by those in Bosnia-Herzegovina to ensure that any graves discovered are kept in a condition that will enable them to be properly investigated, so that any further evidence of war crimes can be properly established.
§ Mr. Robin CookThe Foreign Secretary will be aware that the Red Cross has today confirmed that more than 3,000 people were killed following the fall of Srebrenica. I am sure that he will agree that such appalling atrocities underline the fact that there can be no prospect of reconciliation in Bosnia until those responsible for such slaughter are brought to justice. Will he therefore consider whether there could be a more proactive role for IFOR in apprehending suspected war criminals? In particular, does he agree that it would be unsatisfactory if only the lower ranks of the Bosnian Serb army were charged, while the high command such as General Mladic escaped arrest?
§ Mr. RifkindI have no reason to believe that any such distinction is made by the war crimes tribunal. As the subject of co-operation by IFOR has been raised, I should mention the fact that Judge Goldstone, who is in charge of the war crimes tribunal, has said that he is satisfied with IFOR's response to his request for co-operation. Clearly if he were not satisfied and had specific proposals, we would 321 be very sensitive to any request of his. But he is satisfied that he is receiving all the co-operation that he requires from IFOR at present.
§ Mr. Ian BruceI am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will have noted that, judging by the comments from both sides, the House believes that war criminals should be prosecuted. Does he agree that international law has been so abused and flouted in this case that we must send a clear message that in any future conflict such behaviour will not be tolerated by the world community, that action will be taken, and that war crimes will not simply be brushed under the carpet in the interests of bringing people back to peace?
§ Mr. RifkindYes, it is salutary to realise that although we all appreciate the horrors of war, sometimes in war actions are performed which go even beyond the normal atrocities that are expected in wartime. Where that happens, and where there is evidence pointing to the guilt of certain persons, it is right and proper that the international community should have a structure for apprehending such persons and bringing them to justice.