HL Deb 05 December 1995 vol 567 cc71-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff has, as reported, expressed the view that "European forces" are capable of performing the mission of ground forces in former Yugoslavia, and whether they concur with this view.

Lord Chesham

The American position has been set out by President Clinton, who has stated publicly that the United States should contribute about one third of the proposed military implementation force (IFOR). The United Kingdom welcomes this. We have made clear that the participation of US ground troops in IFOR is a prerequisite for our participation.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether President Clinton has committed the United States to sending ground troops to former Yugoslavia, and if so when did he do so; under what conditions are they to go; what is the mission to which they are committed; and what are its time limits.

Lord Chesham

President Clinton said on 21 November when announcing the initialling of the Bosnia Peace Agreement in Dayton, Ohio, that the United States would be expected to contribute about one-third of the military implementation force (IFOR). The IFOR will be UN-authorised, NATO-led, and will operate with the strategic consent of the parties. President Clinton has indicated that he will request US Congressional support before main deployment.

IFOR's principal tasks will be to establish zones of separation and ensure withdrawal of forces, to maintain the necessary freedom of movement and to create secure conditions for the activities of other bodies associated with the peace agreement. IFOR deployment is planned to end within twelve months.