HL Deb 25 January 1996 vol 568 cc1126-8

3.32 p.m.

Lord Monson asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the case that NATO troops in Bosnia will not be deployed either to protect UN teams investigating suspected massacre sites or to prevent the destruction of incriminating evidence by Bosnian Serb forces.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords. IFOR will provide security for UN teams visiting alleged grave sites. It will conduct foot patrols and aerial reconnaissance of sites and report any suspicious activities that might suggest tampering. These activities should ensure that sites are not disturbed until the tribunal has been able to investigate them.

Lord Monson

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that Answer. It clarifies considerably the position of IFOR and Admiral Leighton Smith, about which there have been conflicting reports. Does she agree that every effort must be made to uncover what appear to be the worst atrocities on European soil for 50 years, in which it would seem that more civilians and POWs have been murdered in cold blood than Polish officers were massacred at Katyn?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, the noble Lord is right, and every effort will be made in this regard. At a meeting on Monday this week in Sarajevo the commander of the NATO peace implementation force, Admiral Leighton Smith, and the chief prosecutor of the International Tribunal on War Crimes in the former Yugoslavia, Richard Goldstone, agreed the procedures to co-ordinate their respective missions. That is a good step forward. I assure the noble Lord that IFOR is very sensitive to this issue and is prepared to help the tribunal in whatever reasonable ways it can.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, does the Minister agree that it is of the utmost importance to secure the release of the many hundreds of prisoners who are still being held by all sides in this conflict. Since the deadline for their release has passed, will she tell the House what steps are being taken to secure their release? Is NATO supporting the UN in that task?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, the answer to both questions is yes.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, does the Minister agree that her answers are further evidence of the admirable work that IFOR is carrying out?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, IFOR is doing excellent work and is also co-ordinating with the Higher Representative, Carl Bildt, very well. We know that the early weeks were difficult, in particular prior to 19th January, but the progress made is significant and it is palpable when one is in the zone.

The Earl of Onslow

My Lords, if those in IFOR know that there is a warrant out for someone's arrest, will they arrest that person, and, if not, who will?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, IFOR can provide the security. It does not have the power of arrest. It must report any suspicious activities, and it will do that. It is then up to the war crimes tribunal and its chief prosector to make sure that persons who should be arrested are so arrested.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, did Judge Goldstone accept the offers made by IFOR with unqualified satisfaction? Will the Minister give an assurance that, if he goes hack to IFOR and asks for additional measures of protection or control, they will be carefully considered and a report will be made by the Minister to the House about those demands?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I understand that Justice Goldstone has said that he is satisfied with the level of support offered by Admiral Leighton Smith. He has agreed that the IFOR support should be provided within the limits of its mandate and its resources. If there is any need for further assistance, the parties will be consulted. If there were any specific news to tell your Lordships of course I should seek to do that.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I am sorry to come back but "Yes" is not an answer to what steps are being taken, as I am sure the Minister will agree.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I apologise to the noble Baroness. I thought that she had asked two poignant questions and that we were both on the same wavelength. I believed that she asked me about the steps being taken to assist the investigation. Am I right?

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, no; I asked about securing the release of the many hundreds of prisoners who are still being held in Bosnia.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I apologise to the noble Baroness. The steps being taken arc the responsibility of the High Representative and of IFOR. The way in which they are pursuing these matters is not known to all of us, but they are watching for every sign and following up signs in order to find out where people might have been taken. As regards those whom we hope are still alive—the prisoners behind the lines—it is a matter of negotiation, which is being pursued daily, if not hourly. We know that a large number of Serbs and Croats could be exchanged for Moslem prisoners, but working that out must be done on the ground, and it is being pursued in the most practical way.