Bosnia (Hansard, 18 February 1994)

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely implications for British-Russian and British-Greek relations of NATO air strikes against the Bosnian Serbs.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the question of NATO air strikes with Mr. Kozyrev, the Russian Foreign Minister, during his recent visit to Moscow with the Prime Minister. Mr. Kozyrev shares our underlying objective of lifting the siege and bringing the conflict to a peaceful end. My right hon. Friend made it clear that we understand Russian concerns about the need for consultation. We and our NATO allies will remain in close touch with them.
We regret Greece's decision to dissociate itself from the 9 February NATO decision. But NATO's determination to carry through that decision, and to help the UN put an end to the bombardment of Sarajevo, is clear.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what difference of view exists between the United Kingdom and(a) France and (b) the United States of America in interpreting the NATO ultimatum on Sarajevo; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
The NATO decision of 9 February is clear—any heavy weapons remaining within 20 km of Sarajevo and not under UN control after midnight GMT on 20 February will be subject to air strikes. The United Kingdom, France and the United States, along with other NATO partners, are fully committed to carrying this decision through.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the definition of control in respect of heavy weaponry in the latest NATO ultimatum to warring factions in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
The NATO decision of 9 February requires all heavy weapons remaining within 20 km of Sarajevo after midnight on 20 February to be placed unde UNPROFOR control. It is for UNPROFOR commanders to determine the nature of that control.