§ 9. Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston)What discussions he has had with countries bordering the Former Republic of Yugoslavia about Kosovo. [61388]
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Robin Cook)I visited Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania in late October and Slovenia last week. Kosovo was one of the key elements of my discussions in all four countries. In Macedonia, I met Professor Agani, the leader of the Kosovar negotiating team, who expressed the thanks of the Kosovar people for Britain's efforts to secure an end to the conflict.
All four countries are developing closer ties with the European Union. So long as President Milosevic pursues policies of ethnic confrontation, he will condemn Serbia to be left further behind in the modern Europe.
§ Ms StuartWill my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government will continue to do everything to support those in Kosovo who seek a peaceful, negotiated solution to the problem? More specifically, what are the Government doing to support the development of independent media in the area?
§ Mr. CookI assure my hon. Friend that we are very much in the lead on the ground in Kosovo, making a reality of the Holbrooke package. As from this week, 664 73 British personnel will be attached to the Kosovo verification mission—one of the largest contributions from any European or international state. Media repression is a matter of grave concern, especially in view of the media law that was passed in October, which prevents all Serbian broadcasters from rebroadcasting foreign news agencies, including the BBC World Service. I have, therefore, asked my officials to investigate the feasibility and funding of a transmitter in the region which can rebroadcast those foreign news agencies. President Milosevic may not want his people to hear the truth, but it is important that we do not let his ban prevent them from doing so.
§ Mr. Michael Trend (Windsor)In the light of recent discussions on Kosovo, have the Government decided to send extra troops to Macedonia to join the NATO extraction force—troops, one supposes, which may be called on to operate in Kosovo? There was a report to that effect in yesterday's edition of The Daily Telegraph, and one on the BBC today, although I understand that no announcement has been made. Surely in this matter of potentially far-reaching consequences, the House is entitled to know what is going on.
§ Mr. CookThere have been repeated statements on Kosovo; I made one only a couple of weeks ago. Indeed, preparations with regard to Macedonia, about which there have been questions, have been no secret. We have repeatedly said that we are willing to support the quadripartite unit in Macedonia; it flows from our discussions with Germany. We will be the second largest contingent in that force. Of course, we fully intend to hold President Milosevic to his assurance that the verification mission will not in any way be intimidated or hampered by the Serbian security forces, although it is important for reassurance that our capability is near at hand.
§ Mr. Ernie Ross (Dundee, West)How will Her Majesty's Government ensure that the plight of refugees and displaced people is improved as winter approaches, so that we do not see again horrific scenes of them in the mountains or under inadequate shelter?
§ Mr. CookI am pleased to say that we have achieved substantial progress in removing refugees from the open hillside and that, over the past two months since the Holbrooke package, the numbers have fallen from 50,000 to a few hundred. Nevertheless, my hon. Friend is quite right to express concern about the continuing position of refugees. Although they have returned to their former villages, many of their homes have been shelled. It is, therefore, essential that we continue the humanitarian effort to ensure that they are sheltered, fed and, with proper health support, are able to survive throughout the winter. Britain is very much in the lead in supporting that effort, and will continue to do so.