HL Deb 19 December 1995 vol 567 cc131-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the words President Clinton is reported to have spoken to US soldiers going to Bosnia—"If you are threatened with attack, you may respond immediately and with decisive force"—constitute the rules of engagement for the US contingent only in the NATO force, and if so what are the rules of engagement under which the British contingent will be operating, and whether the rules of engagement for all contingents in Bosnia are to be in accordance with the UN Charter, the Hague Conventions, and the Geneva Conventions.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)

The NATO-led peace implementation operation in Bosnia will be authorised by a UN security council resolution. The rules of engagement for the force are NATO-wide and consistent with the requirements of international law.