HL Deb 21 April 1994 vol 554 c17WA

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether UNPROFOR has the right under the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolution to call in air support

  1. (a) only in its 'own defence or also
  2. (b) to stop a Serbian advance, as the Bosnian Prime Minister Siladzic stated "we have been told by General Rose", (SWBEE/1967 C/7 1300 hours, 10 April.)

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Under Security Council Resolution 836 UNPROFOR has the authority to call upon air power for its self defence and to deter attacks in and around the safe areas of Sarajevo, Zepa, Gorazde, Bihac, Srebenica and Tuzla. Approval by the North Atlantic Council for the use of NATO aircraft in this context has only been granted for the use of close air support for UNPROFOR self defence tasks in the safe areas, and for air interdiction within the safe area of Sarajevo. Under Security Council Resolution 770 air power may also be used in support of UNPROFOR's mandate to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. SCR908 has made separate provision for close air support in defence of UNPROFOR in Croatia.