HC Deb 28 February 1995 vol 255 cc562-3W
Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Ambassadors in the Baltic States have had with the Governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania about Russian military activity in Chechnya; what concerns they expressed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The Governments of all three Baltic countries have raised the question of Russian intervention in Chechnya with our ambassadors. In particular they are concerned, like ourselves, about the disproportionate use of force and about abuses of human rights.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the numbers of Russian troops so far committed to the military operation in Chechnya.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We estimate that the Russian army has deployed some 40,000 to 50,000 troops to Chechnya, and the interior ministry a further 10,000 to 15,000 troops.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department has yet made an estimate of the financial cost to the Russian Government of the military action in the northern Caucasus.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Because of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the situation in the region, we do not yet feel that we are in a position to make an accurate estimate of the likely costs. Russian official estimates have varied widely and indicate just how speculative such an exercise would be at this stage.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with President Shevardnadze about the security of the Republic of Georgia following the Russian military action in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the situation in Chechnya with Mr. Shevardnadze when he was visiting the UK earlier this month. Mr. Shevardnadze expressed support for the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation and understanding for the Russian decision to intervene militarily.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed Russian military action in the northern Caucasus with the Turkish Government; what concerns the Turks expressed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Davis

The Russian intervention in Chechnya was one of the subjects discussed when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, together with his French, German and Italian colleagues, met the Turkish Foreign Minister in London on 2 February. Mr. Karayalcin made clear to the press afterwards the importance of working for peace in the region.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the sovereignty of the trans-Caucasian republics with the Russian Government; what assurances he received about non-interference in their domestic affairs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We fully support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. We have frequently made this clear in discussions with the Russian Government.