§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the recognition of the Yugoslav province of Bosnia-Herzegovina as a national state by Her Majesty's Government followed in all respects international law and custom; on whose initiative it was so recognised; what was the date of recognition by each of the principle powers; and what regard was had to the views of its religious and racial minorities. [27434]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe and our EC partners recognised Bosnia-Herzegovina on 7 April 1992 following acceptance of the report of the arbitration commission attached to the EC conference on former Yugoslavia. The US Government recognised Bosnia-Herzegovina on the same day and the Russian Government did the same on 28 April 1992. A key factor in the EC's decision was the Bosnian Government's guarantee to respect the rights of minorities.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the population of Sarajevo was Serb before Bosnia-Herzegoina was recognised as a separate state; and how many of them still remain there. [27497]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAccording to an official census conducted in April 1991, 27.8 per cent. of the population of Sarajevo was Serb. There are no reliable figures for the current Serb population.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of humanitarian supplies to Bosnia-Herzegovina which have(a) been stolen by the Bosnian Muslim Government to supply its forces and (b) reached criminals operating in the black market. [27578]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThere are no reliable figures relating to this issue. We condemn all such acts perpetrated by any side against the UN and other humanitarian relief agencies operating in Bosnia.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the population of the former Yugoslav province of Bosnia-Herzegovina is effectively represented by the Foreign Minister appointed by the Bosnian Muslim Government. [27498]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe consider Mr. Sacirbey, the new Bosnian Foreign Minister, to represent the legitimate and internationally recognised Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina.