§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 July to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Elletson),Official Report, column 86, regarding the reported no-fly zone of 13 March, for how long the aircraft were observed over Gladovici; whether the border is visible from the village of Gladovici; what is the minimum time required to reach the border from Gladovici; what further information has since come to light about the incident; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladWe understand that the Serbian border is not visible from Gladovici, but that an aircraft or helicopter could fly between Gladovici and the border in under a minute. No further information has come to light about the incident there on 13 March.
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§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made as to the accuracy of information surrounding the alleged breach of the no-fly zone over Gladovici on 13 March; if his Department has contacted any international agency or body regarding the details of this alleged breach during the past four weeks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladWe are satisfied with the standard of UN reporting on the observance of the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzogovina, including the information provided about the breach over Gladovici on 13 March. We have not contacted any international agency concerning the details of the breach in the past four weeks.
§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the evidence now available on the reported no-fly zone violation on 13 March over Gladovici, Bosnia-Herzegovina, has produced proof as to the nature of the mission, the identity of the aircraft operators or the location of the aircraft operating base; who Her Majesty's Government now regard as being responsible for this violation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladNo new information has been received concerning the breach of the no-fly zone over Gladovici. The aircraft observed there on 13 March were never definitely attributed to any party. However, the flight pattern of the aircraft would be consistent with the use of Serbian airspace to lose altitude before landing at an airstrip near the border.
§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names, rank and national origin of UN personnel present in Gladovici on 13 March; what role they were fulfilling there; when reports were first received by these personnel of a breach of the no-fly zone; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladWe are unable to give detailed information on UN personnel. Those in Gladovici on 13 March were carrying out duties pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 781 of 9 October 1992. Information on the breach released by the UN on 16 March made it clear that the UN personnel concerned observed the incident themselves.