§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What, during the military action in Kosovo, was the military relationship between the Kosovo Liberation Army and (a) NATO, (b) United States forces and (c) British forces; and who provided the equipment that was available to the Kosovo Liberation Army. [HL4551]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The NATO spokesman confirmed on 30 May that there were no formal links 191WA between NATO and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the air campaign. In addition there was no formal relationship between the KLA and British forces during the air campaign. However, during the course of their normal duties, a number of British military personnel came into contact with members of the KLA. I cannot comment on behalf of other NATO nations.
Following the end of the air campaign there was close contact between NATO-led forces and the KLA resulting in signature on 21 June by the KLA of an undertaking to COMKFOR to demilitarise. COMKFOR confirmed on 21 September that all KLA weapons, as required by the KLA's undertaking, had been handed over and were in especially designated storage sites under KFOR control.
Based on information currently available it is believed that the arms, ammunition and other equipment covered by the UN arms embargo but used by the KLA were either obtained from civilian holdings within Kosovo, captured from Yugoslav forces, or purchased on the black market.