§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe has sufficient staff and resources to prevent trading and proliferation of small arms in the whole Balkan region; and, if not, what proposals they will make. [HL2202]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The international community is active in this area, with several donor states supporting work to combat small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation. For its part, the stability pact is establishing a regional SALW clearinghouse in Belgrade under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This is a significant contribution to the overall effort. Her Majesty's Government are providing core funding of £426,000 to UNDP's Global Weapons Collection, Management and Destruction Programme to support the establishment of the clearinghouse and its operation.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the weapons destruction facility in Kosovo will be kept open with a view to serving neighbouring countries. [HL2203]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe weapons destruction facility near Pristina was set up with support from the UK and Norway in 1999 and has destroyed over 8,500 weapons. Further funding has now been offered by the Dutch Government to ensure that this facility can continue to operate in 2002. No neighbouring country has yet requested use of the facility. Local destruction may be more efficient and more secure. Weapons surrendered to the British-led Task Force Harvest in Macedonia last year, for example, were destroyed in Macedonia.