Yugoslavia (Hansard, 29 November 1994)

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures are being considered to encourage the Governments of Serbia, Montenegro and the Federal Yugoslav Government to continue to co-operate with the international community in implementing United Nations and Security Council resolutions; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The United Nations Security Council decided in its resolution 943 to suspend the ban on international air links, a ferry crossing to Italy and cultural and sporting contacts in response to a decision by Belgrade to support the contact group plan for Bosnia, to cut off all but humanitarian supplies to the Bosnian Serbs and to co-operate with a mission from the international conference on former Yugoslavia.
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Further sanctions relief is envisaged if the contact group plan for Bosnia is implemented. The contact group would also respond positively if Belgrade took other steps towards peace, such as support for a peace plan for Croatia and recognition of the other states of former Yugoslavia.

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Croatian Government regarding the need to comply with United Nations resolutions on the importation of arms into the former Yugoslavia; what actions Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the event of evidence of Croatian non-compliance; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The Croatian and other Governments have been made aware of our strong views on the need for all member states to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Evidence of non-compliance with United Nations sanctions is taken up with the Government concerned and with the United Nations sanctions committee.

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what controls are in place at airports in the Republic of Croatia to ensure that arms shipments, in breach of United Nations resolutions, are not being transported through Croatia to combatants in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
As in other countries of former Yugoslavia and in neighbouring countries, the United Nations have established, under EU/CSCE auspices, a sanctions assistance mission in Croatia, based in Zagreb. This mission has authority to observe and report back its findings to the United Nations sanctions committee.

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received reports indicating that the Russian Federation is considering unilaterally abandoning trade sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the beginning of 1995; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
We have received no reports of this nature. The Russian Government continue to be actively involved in the efforts of the contact group to achieve a peaceful settlement in Bosnia.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what restrictions are in place on the transport and telecommunications industry with regard to the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
Since April 1993 transportation owned by or operated from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been subject to impoundment by member states under United Nations Security Council resolution 820. In September this year, some restrictions were suspended for an initial 100 days. Aircraft and civilian flights can operate to and from Belgrade airport, as can the passenger ferry service between Bar in the FRY and Bar in Italy.
Telecommunications are exempt from United Nations sanctions imposition. The only restriction, under UNSCR 820, is that the supply of goods to the FRY, relating to the industry, are subject to UNSC authorisation on a case-by-case basis.

§ Mr. Wareing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under which United Nations Security Council resolution airlines may engage in580W commercial activity with the former Yugoslavia; what restrictions remain with regard to their (a) marketing, (b) technical services and (c) financial transactions; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
United Nations Security Council resolution 943 permits civilian passenger flights to and from Belgrade airport carrying passengers and personal effects only and cargo authorised by the United Nations Sanctions Committee.
Technical and marketing services may be provided in respect of such flights; no licence from the DTI or authorisation from the United Nations is required.
The United Nations Sanctions Committee is in the process of finalising guidelines relating to financial transactions. Payments will be permitted from funds credited to blocked accounts on or after 5 October 1994 in order to pay the direct expenses incurred by JAT in operating passenger flights in and out of Belgrade airport.