§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to invite the Croat President, General Franjo Tudjiman, to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThere are no such plans.
§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with Croatia.
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§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe deplore the recent resurgence of fighting between Bosnian Croats and Muslims in central Bosnia, particularly around Mostar. We also take very seriously the reports of ethnic cleansing of Muslims by Bosnian Croats. The Croatians should have no doubt that these incidents will have a bearing upon the development of relations between Croatia and both the United Kingdom and the European Community.
§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether evidence is being collected by the EC war crimes investigators detailing alleged Croat attrocities against civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe investigation of war crimes is not part of the mandate of the EC monitoring mission in former Yugoslavia. But ECMM members have witnessed the aftermath of atrocities. A United Nations commission of experts was set up to collate, investigate and analyse evidence of violations of international humanitarian law in former Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Croatia about Croatian aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe president of the United Nations Security Council issued a statement on 10 May condemning the fighting between the Bosnian Croats and Muslims. The EC presidency, on behalf of the EC and member states, sent a firm message to President Tudjman on 12 May protesting at the renewed fighting between Bosnian Croats and Muslims in Mostar and at reports of ethnic cleansing carried out by Bosnian Croats. It warned that stronger measures may be considered if the Croatians do not bring these actions to an end.
§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has reviewed the status of the United Kingdom's diplomatic relations with Croatia following the recent attacks by Croatian forces on civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNo such review has taken place. But we are watching events closely in central Bosnia and expect President Tudjman to use all his influence to end the latest Bosnian Croat offensive and to prevent further atrocities. Unless this happens, the international community will consider taking stronger measures against Croatia.