HC Deb 06 July 1993 vol 228 cc84-6W
Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to oppose the lifting of the arms embargo against any participants in the Bosnian civil war until an effective and lasting settlement to the crisis is in place and operating.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The arms embargo was imposed on the former Yugoslavia under United Nations Security Council resolution 713 on 25 September 1991, and is applied equally to all republics. There has been considerable recent debate in international fora on the lifting of the arms embargo for the Bosnian Muslims. We have repeatedly made it clear that this option is not ruled out, but we believe that in present circumstances this would do nothing to assist the achievement of a peace settlement—indeed it could make it less likely and threaten the vital humanitarian relief efforts.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds exist from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Serbia to pay monthly sums to Serbian families who agree to accommodate refugees and displaced persons; what is the total of such monthly payments; what guarantees have been given to UNHCR about how long such funds will be available; and what comparable data he has on funds available on a similar basis in(a) Croatia, (b) Slovenia and (c) Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The UNHCR is paying cash grants to host families in Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia. The UNHCR's 1993 programme envisages payments of US$ 27 million, US$ 5,055,000 and US$ 2,115,600 respectively. Full implementation of the programme will depend on the availability of funds: so far only a small proportion of the sums envisaged has been paid. The cash grant scheme does not operate in Serbia or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received of activities in the village of Gladovici in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the past 12 months; and if he will list the source of such reports and the action which has been taken as a result.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We have seen a report from the UNPROFOR press office in Zagreb concerning the bombing of Gladovici and Osatica on 13 March. There is evidence to suggest that the aircraft were operated by the Bosnian Serbs. Since the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 816 enforcing the no-fly zone over Bosnia, there have been no reports of further combat raids.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information Her Majesty's Government have received to confirm that no arms have been included in supplies to Gorazde distributed from NATO transport planes; if Her Majesty's Government have been apprised of the loading and inspection procedure for such missions; and what complaints have been made regarding supplies to Gorazde.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

There are established loading and inspection procedures for NATO aircraft leaving Rheinmain in Germany on humanitarian air drop missions. Monitors from all three sides of the Bosnian conflict are present when the aircraft are being loaded to check that they contain only aid supplies. We are aware of allegations to suggest that ammunition has been transported, but have seen no evidence to substantiate this.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from what source Her Majesty's Government first received information regard-ing the bombing of Gladovici on 13 March; on what information a view was taken as to where the aircraft involved took off and landed; what further information has since come to light; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Information concerning the bombing of Gladovici was first received from United Nations personnel, and published in an UNPROFOR press release of 16 March 1993. The aircraft were observed flying across the River Drina into Serbia, which would be consistent with the use of Serbian air space to lose altitude prior to landing. No further information has since come to light.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times Her Majesty's Government or her representatives have met President Slobodan Milosevic since January 1991; and what was the purpose of each meeting.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Our representatives have met President Milosevic and his staff on numerous occasions since January 1991, most recently on 18 June 1993 when Her Majesty's chargéd'affaires in Belgrade delivered a letter from the Prime Minister to President Milosevic expressing his concern at the arrest and detention of opposition leader Mr. Draskovic, and requesting his immediate release. The main purpose of our representa-tions has been to press President Milosevic to co-operate fully with the efforts of the international community to achieve lasting and equitable settlements to the conflicts of the former Yugoslavia, particularly in Bosnia, and in the Krajina and Kosovo, based on the principles established by the London conference.

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