§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent discussions they have had with the government of Yugoslavia; and what view they take of the reported ultimatum from the army to the Yugoslav State presidency.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited Yugoslavia on 25th-28th February and met representatives of the federal and republican governments. The Yugoslav Prime Minister, Mr. Markovic, called on the Prime Minister on 15th April. The Foreign Secretary is in regular touch with his Yugoslav opposite number. We have consistently made clear that Yugoslavia's problems cannot be solved by force and have urged the Yugoslav national army to act only within the Yugoslav constitution.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the policy of (a) NATO and (b) the EC, in the event of civil war or serious internal violence in Yugoslavia; whether the likely humanitarian consequences have been examined, and if so what conclusions have been reached; and what arrangements would be made if large numbers of refugees were to leave Yugoslavia or be displaced internally.
The Earl of CaithnessOur frequent discussions with our partners about Yugoslavia cover the likely humanitarian consequences of civil unrest. The arrangements for the reception of refugees would be a matter for the individual countries concerned. The 1951 UN Convention of Refugees obliges signatory governments not to return genuine refugees to their country of origin.