§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what exemptions have been made to the sanctions against Serbia for humanitarian reasons, with particular reference to equipment needed for(a) de-mining and (b) dealing with depleted uranium. [119349]
§ The Prime MinisterThe EC regulations providing for the flight ban (now suspended), the oil embargo and the imposition of financial sanctions in Serbia all provide for humanitarian exemptions.
Although the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1160 (1998) imposed an arms embargo on the FRY, UNSCR 1244 (1999) provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for use by the international civil and security presence in Kosovo. The UK has approved a number of applications for the export of demining equipment to the FRY where such activity is taking place under the auspices of the international civil and security presence.
The export to Serbia of equipment for dealing with depleted uranium would not be covered by sanctions. However, an export licence would have to be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry if the equipment in question was covered by the UK's strategic export controls on dual-use goods which apply to all destinations.