Yugoslavia (Hansard, 17 March 1993)

§ Sir John Hunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to strengthen the present embargo against Serbia and Montenegro to the level recommended in recommendation 530 of the assembly of the Western European Union; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Goodlad
We would support introduction of more rigorous sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro should the Serbs seek to block a settlement. In the meantime we are actively supporting international efforts to ensure existing sanctions are enforced more rigorously. We welcome the efforts of the Western European Union assembly to identify measures that could improve sanctions enforcement.

§ Sir John Hunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards bringing to trial before the appropriate judicial bodies those responsible for war crimes committed during the present conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We fully supported the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 808 which decides, in principle, to establish an ad hoc war crimes tribunal to bring those accused of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia to justice.

§ Sir John Hunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the imposition of sanctions against sea or air transport operators in Western European Union member states found guilty of violating the United Nations embargo against Serbia and Montenegro; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Goodlad
It is the responsibility of each individual state to enforce sanctions within its own territory and according to its own legislation. We are determined to ensure that sanctions are enforced rigorously; there are severe penalties for those convicted of committing breaches. We have no legal powers to take punitive action against companies operating outside the United Kingdom involved in breaches of United Nations sanctions.

§ Sir John Hunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has offered in response to the request by Romania for help in policing the embargo against Serbia and Montenegro.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The United Kingdom contributes personnel and equipment to the sanctions assistance missions, now operating in a number of states including 253W Romania. We are also making available £100,000 in practical sanctions enforcement to help states on the Danube. This will consist of communications and other equipment for customs authorities. Earlier today my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed ways to tighten enforcement with the Romanian Foreign Minister.