Bosnia: Humanitarian Aid (Hansard, 17 December 1993)

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, the European Council in Brussels on 10th and 11th December reaffirmed its support for the co-chairmen's efforts to achieve a political solution to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. The council also underlined its commitment to intensify its humanitarian efforts in Bosnia through the winter. We agree with the judgment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that the most effective way to save lives this winter would be to achieve an early negotiated settlement in Bosnia. European Union Foreign Ministers will meet the Bosnian parties again on 22nd December in an effort to bring this objective closer.

§ Lord Hylton
My Lords, is it not quite wrong that the safe areas defined by the United Nations are regularly shelled; that convoys are interrupted and delayed; and mat Tuzla airport is still not open? Will the Government take steps also to provide air cover for the United Nations' forces on the ground?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, we provide a great deal of help to the former Yugoslavia in the form of humanitarian aid and the assistance which our soldiers are providing. In the end, that aid can get through only with co-operation. I do not believe that fighting our way through is an option. That would make the problems worse. As regards the reopening of Tuzla airport, as the noble Lord will know, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister stated yesterday mat Tuzla airport should re-open as soon as possible. We believe that it is the Bosnian Serbs who are responsible for blocking it. The United Kingdom and our European partners are ready to offer the necessary expert personnel to man that airport should it reopen.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, the Minister's reply that eventually there must be a political solution is to be welcomed. It would be folly of us to seek to blame either the noble Lord, Lord Owen, or Mr. Stoltenberg, who have done their best. Does the Minister agree that they must continue to do their best while at the same time strengthening the role of UNPROFOR?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, we shall continue to do our best. The only solution that we have is to continue to negotiate and to continue to offer our support through the European Union to the noble Lord, Lord Owen. We have a very good record in this country of providing aid to the former Yugoslavia and we shall continue to provide aid as far as we can. I tried to make clear to the noble Lord, Lord Hylton,—and I think the noble Lord agrees with me—that in the end, we can get that aid through only with co-operation.

§ Lord Beloff
My Lords, does the Minister agree that we have heard previously about the necessity of a political settlement before aid can be successfully delivered? That is almost certainly true. But, on the other hand, there will be no settlement unless Serbia is coerced into abandoning its continual aggression. Will the Minister assure us that there is no question of lifting sanctions against the Serbian Government while their interference with the activities of the United Nations continues?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, in the end a solution can be reached only if there is agreement among all the parties. I assure my noble friend that the Serbs face the threat of continued sanctions and international isolation if they show unwillingness to reach a settlement.

§ Lord Richard
My Lords, will the Minister confirm that the noble Lord, Lord Owen, and Mr. Stoltenberg have fixed a meeting with the warring parties on 22nd December, and that after last weekend's European Summit the Foreign Ministers decided to meet the warring parties on 21st December? Was that at the request of the noble Lord, Lord Owen, or in response to a feeling among the Foreign Ministers that the Owen-Stoltenberg initiative had run into the sand and that they needed to take it over? What is happening?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, I cannot answer the question as to whether the meeting was fixed at the request of the noble Lord, Lord Owen. I should correct the noble Lord because it is important to have these matters right. On 21st December the noble Lord, Lord Owen, and the parties will meet in Geneva. On 22nd December, the following day, the European Union Foreign Ministers will meet the Bosnian parties in Brussels. More importantly, Mrs. Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, will also attend on that occasion.

§ Lord Jenkins of Putney
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that until such time as it becomes possible to conclude this ghastly business in Yugoslavia, the impact of sanctions upon Serbia is greater, in some respects, than has been provided for? For example, it seems that medical supplies for children are not getting through as they are supposed to. Does the Minister agree that, while sanctions must remain, they should be applied in such a manner that they do not impact where they are not supposed to?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, if there is evidence that that is happening, I should be prepared to look at the matter. I shall certainly pass on the views of the noble Lord to my noble friend. As regards the question put by the noble Lord, Lord Richard, I am fairly sure about the facts and the dates which I gave him. If I am wrong about that, I shall certainly write and let: the noble Lord know.

§ Lord Hylton
My Lords, are the Government seeking to strengthen the working mandate of UNPROFOR and, if so, in what way?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, we are not seeking to strengthen that at the moment. As I made quite clear, we 1505 believe that it is important to continue with negotiations and also to continue to provide what humanitarian aid we can. In the end, if one is providing aid, one has two choices: one can either get the aid in with co-operation; or one can fight one's way in. We do not believe that the right way forward is to try to fight our way in with aid.