§ 2.57 p.m.
§ Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What progress has been made in the reconstruction of Kosovo and what is their policy towards the reconstruction of Serb Yugoslavia.
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, the UN is co-ordinating both the emergency reconstruction and long-term reconstruction of Kosovo. We are contributing to the emergency effort through our office in Pristina and working to ensure that the reconstruction effort—in which the EC and World Bank will play a leading role—is as effective as possible. For as long as Milosevic remains in power, our policy towards Serbia is to provide only essential humanitarian assistance.
§ Lord JuddMy Lords, does my noble friend agree that to secure the economic, social and democratic well-being of the people of Kosovo and indeed Serb Yugoslavia will demand every bit as much financial commitment as fighting the war itself, and that so far the sums of which we talk are small by comparison? Can my noble friend give the House a specific assurance that there will be no robbing of Peter to pay Paul and no cutting back on programmes to others in order to finance the reconstruction programmes in these two countries? So far as concerns Yugoslavia, does she agree that a great deal of subtlety will be necessary so that we encourage the positive and responsible elements within Yugoslavia's society who are crucial to its future, and do not throw all the country together in a negative attitude towards the rest of the world?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, we are concerned to ensure the economic, democratic and social well-being of the region. It is for that reason that various countries and international financial institutions have come together to talk about the importance of the long-term 807 reconstruction of the region. However, it is far too soon to place a monetary element on that although of course it will be looked at in due course.
With respect to the specific assurance which my noble friend has sought as regards other DfID funded programmes, the reconstruction effort in the region will not impact on the other programmes in the DfID budget. The question of where the money will come from will be part of that long-term discussion. As to responding to positive and responsible elements within Yugoslavia, I entirely endorse my noble friend's comments.
§ Baroness Williams of CrosbyMy Lords, having won the war, it is vital that we now win the peace. Perhaps I may press the Minister a little further. Earlier this week the Economic Secretary to the Treasury announced that 500 million ecus were to be set aside from the European budget for the reconstruction of Kosovo. Today in the Guardian newspaper it is announced that that sum will come from cutting EU development aid by 10 per cent and EU humanitarian aid—which is the only source from which Serbia can get any help—by 19 per cent. In other words, it sounds very like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Can the Minister say whether the Government will take the same view as the European Parliament, which is that the reconstruction of Kosovo is so important that new money must he found, in addition to what may be scraped from other parts of the European Union budget?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, there has been a very clear commitment by the Government that the money being spent through the DfID budget on development programmes across the world will continue. There have been on-going discussions about the European Union element of that budget and how that might be spent. I shall be happy to write to the noble Baroness to clarify exactly what decisions have been made in respect of that budget. We consider that it is important to carry out a needs assessment within the region before we get to the point of making decisions about how long-term money should be allocated. There is a commitment to look at the long-term reconstruction of the region and, in particular, to work with multilateral organisations to ensure that that reconstruction happens.
§ Lord MoynihanMy Lords, what assessment has the Minister made of the American decision to give preference in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Serbia to localities whose leaders are pursuing democratic policies? To what extent do the Government intend to encourage the democratic movement?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, it is important that we distinguish between immediate humanitarian relief to a region and the amount we identify for its long-term reconstruction. As part of our undertakings within DfID, we have always alluded to the importance of looking at governance structures within the countries with which we are dealing in terms of long-term development. Working towards ensuring openness, transparency of government and the establishment of democratic institutions is very important indeed. We have to isolate 808 the difference between the immediate humanitarian needs that we will meet and our long-term programme, which will focus on different elements.
§ Lord Ewing of KirkfordMy Lords, amid this understandable clamour for the rebuilding of Serb Yugoslavia and Kosovo, perhaps I may ask the Minister a practical question. What safeguards are being built into the provisions for the rebuilding of Serb Yugoslavia and Kosovo to protect the Albanian minority in Kosovo against the emergence of a future Milosevic in 20 or 25 years time, repeating what has gone on recently and our having to start all over again?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, this is clearly a subject which will be part of the long-term discussions to ensure political stability in the region. I do not think that anyone would want to see a repeat of what has happened in the region in the past few years. We have made every effort to ensure that the Albanian minority in Kosovo is protected as much as possible. This of course will continue. It would be impossible for me to give my noble friend the kind of guarantee that he seek. We will continue to ensure that these matters will be taken on board in terms of the political, humanitarian and social development within the region.