HC Deb 28 April 1993 vol 223 cc431-2W
Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other United Nations Security Council members about an appropriate response to Croat aggression against Muslim civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We are concerned at reports, some confirmed by British troops in Bosnia, of atrocities committed against Muslim civilians, allegedly by Bosnian Croats. The United Nations Security Council discussed the problem of Croat-Muslim fighting in the wake of the recent outbreaks of hostilities between these parties and adopted a statement on 21 April calling on both sides to desist. The EC presidency delivered a protest to President Tudjman on 23 April, and the situation in central Bosnia was most recently discussed at the EC Foreign Ministers' meeting at Hindsgavl on 25 April.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Croatia about the attacks by HVO forces on Muslim civilians in and around Vitez, on 21 April.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We deplore the recent violence and support the efforts to halt it, notably by British forces and the EC monitoring mission on the ground, and Lord Owen in discussion with Croat and Muslim leaders. The EC presidency on behalf of the EC and member states delivered a strongly worded dêmarche to President Tudjman on 23 April about the renewed fighting between Croats and Muslims in central Bosnia, calling on the President to use his influence to bring about an end to the hostilities.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to ensure British forces in Bosnia and Croatia as part of the United Nations peacekeeping forces are given copies of the Blue Book handbook on peaceful settlement of disputes between states, provided by the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs last year.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

A copy of this publication has been passed to the Ministry of Defence for onward transmission to the British forces serving with the United Nations protection force in former Yugoslavia.