HL Deb 06 December 1995 vol 567 cc84-5WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they can take to ensure that NATO activities in former Yugoslavia, including the activities of British forces, are not endangered by United States presidential electioneering, and that all United States forces to be deployed there will be under NATO Command and Control and that no non-NATO United States forces—formal or informal—will be active in the area.

Earl Howe

NATO planning for a peace implementation force in Bosnia provides for the force, including the US contribution, to come under the direction and political control of the North Atlantic Council through the NATO chain of command.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all future military action in former Yugoslavia will be under the ultimate control of the United Nations Security Council; in accordance with UNSC resolutions and with international law; and under what rules of engagement will British forces in former Yugoslavia be operating.

Earl Howe

The Dayton agreement invited the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution authorising NATO to take responsibility for establishing a peace implementation force in Bosnia. The force will operate under the political control of the North Atlantic Council. British units will operate under NATO rules of engagement. These will be consistent with the requirements of self defence and will ensure the force can carry out its mission effectively.