§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the relationship between British forces serving in Bosina-Herzegovina and the third corps of the Bosnian army. [10288]
§ Mr. SoamesBritish forces in Bosnia are liaising closely with all of the former warring factions and are operating from bases on both sides of the ceasefire line as part of the implementation process.
844W
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what practical steps are being taken by British military units in Bosnia-Herzegovina to prevent attacks made upon them by Mujaheddin fighters; and if he will make a statement. [10289]
§ Mr. SoamesUK troops are well trained and equipped for the demands of their mission and are alert to all potential risks. Measures are taken to ensure the protection of our forces, but it would not be appropriate to go into detail.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was responsible for attacking British troops in Sanski Most and Bosanska Krupa on Saturday 6 January; and if he will make a statement. [10293]
§ Mr. SoamesBosnian Government soldiers were responsible for the incident at Bosanska Krupa on 6 January when shots were fired at a British base. Although no fire was returned, British troops adopted a high state of readiness and there were no further attacks. In a second incident later that day near Sanski Most, a British vehicle came under sustained fire from a Bosnian Serb army bunker and escorting troops returned small arms fire. No British troops were injured.