§ Lord Finsbergasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether their attention has been drawn to the statement which appeared in the Daily Telegraph of 9th March that, according to European Community officials, the blockade of Serbia and Montenegro is being regularly broken by means of freight trains transiting from Greece across Bulgaria; whether they are aware of the willingness of the Bulgarian authorities to take appropriate action on receipt of proof of the breaking of sanctions; and whether they will arrange for the delivery to Bulgaria of the proof apparently available to the European Community.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)We are determined to ensure rigorous enforcement of sanctions. We have taken up with the governments concerned reports that oil, and other strategic goods, continue to reach Serbia via Bulgaria and Greece. Both governments have assured us of their commitment to investigate specific allegations relating to sanctions breaking. A Sanctions Assistance Mission has now been deployed in Bulgaria to assist in this task.
On 17th April the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 820 further tightening sanctions. The provisions of this resolution, in particular the severe restrictions on the transhipment of goods through Serbia and Montenegro, will improve the effectiveness of international sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro.