Yugoslavia (Hansard, 17 May 1993)

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the policy of sanctions ais an effective instrument against aggressors in the former Yugoslavia.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
Sanctions have proved an effective instrument of pressure on Serbia. They have contributed to the change of heart by the Serbian leadership which has now indicated its support for the Vance-Owen peace plan.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 820 adopted on 17 April 1993 will further increase pressure on Serbia and Montenegro. We shall continue our active efforts to ensure that the recently introduced measures are enforced rigorously on a world wide basis. In addition we are examining ways of further isolating the Bosnian Serbs from the outside world. These efforts will continue for as long as the Bosnian Serbs reject the path to peace.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Croatian Government in respect of the rounding up and detention of civilians in and around the town of Mostar; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The presidency, on behalf of the EC and member states, sent a firm protest to Croatian President Tudjman on 12 May condemning the actions of the Bosnian Croats, particularly in Ahinici and Mostar. It also warns that should Croatia fail to play its part in ending the fighting, this will have a bearing on Croatia's relationship with the EC.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to UNPROFOR and the International Red Cross to investigate the results of the alleged atrocity at Bosanski Brod in Bosnia-Herzegovina where the mass grave was seen by hon. Members on 2 May.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
To protect their impartial status, neither UNPROFOR nor the International Commit tee for the Red Cross is mandated to investigate alleged atrocities in Bosnia. The investigation of evidence of war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia is being conducted by the United Nations commission of experts established under United Nations Security Council resolution 780.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation of sanctions in the former Yugoslavia; and if the policy will be extended to Croatia.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
United Nations Security Council resolution 820 represents a significant toughening of sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro. Efforts continue further to tighten enforcement.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the House on 12 May, the EC General Affairs Council discussed the question of sanctions against Croatia on 12 May, but concluded that such action was not justified at this stage.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Administration in respect of the possible role of United States ground forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The United States is already playing a considerable role in Bosnia: United States aircraft are helping to enforce the no-fly zone and airdrop relief supplies into eastern Bosnia and United States vessels are taking part in the NATO sanctions flotilla in the Adriatic.
We remain in close touch with the United States Administration over possible policy options and the question of ground forces in Bosnia.