HL Deb 14 May 1991 vol 528 cc1473-4

2.45 p.m.

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the protection of minorities in Yugoslavia can best be ensured.

Lord Reay

My Lords, we believe that Yugoslavia's minorities can best be protected under a constitutional system guaranteeing liberal democracy and full respect for human rights in accordance with Yugoslavia's obligations under CSCE.

Lord Hylton

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply and particularly for mentioning CSCE. Does he agree that there is now an urgent need for negotiations to prevent further loss of life? Will the Government endeavour to persuade both the Government of Yugoslavia and the constituent republics to apply the 10 principles of Valetta for the peaceful settlement of their disputes?

Lord Reay

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that CSCE provides an opportunity. Yugoslavia is a member of CSCE. The Valetta 10-point plan outlined a dispute settlement mechanism for member countries of CSCE. However, the settlement mechanism addresses only disputes between states and is therefore not applicable to Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, the committee of senior officials of CSCE, which is next due to meet on 23rd and 24th May, has the remit to review the current issues whenever it meets.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, although there is an obvious limit to what Her Majesty's Government or any one government can do, does the Minister agree that the objective must be to seek to create stability in that part of Europe? Is the matter being raised by Her Majesty's Government in the meeting of Community Foreign Ministers which I believe is being held today? Furthermore, as I understand it, the meeting of CSCE will be held in Geneva on 19th July. Will the Minister say whether the matter can also be raised on that occasion?

Lord Reay

My Lords, the meeting of the European Foreign Affairs Council took place yesterday and there was a full discussion on Yugoslavia. Mr. Delors, the President of the Commission, and Mr. Santer, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, are due to visit Yugoslavia in the near future. We call on the Yugoslav Federal Government and republics to settle their differences peacefully. We deplore the use or threat of force by the federal army against the democratically elected governments of Slovenia and Croatia. The borders between the Yugoslav republics should be changed only by agreement between the republics concerned.