HL Deb 17 July 1996 vol 574 c61WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the full details of the United States 800 million dollar "equip-and-train" programme for the Bosnian armed forces have yet been passed to (a) the various governments who have committed troops to IFOR (b) the Organisation for Security and Co-operation Europe (OSCE); and (c) the British and French Governments, whose own forces are due to be withdrawn when US troops are withdrawn.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The United States has given public assurances that the train and equip programme will be fully transparent to the international community. We have been briefed regularly on the details of the programme.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will be treating the "former US military personnel" being provided by the United States for the "equip-and-train" programme under the name of "Military Professional Resources" of Alexandria, Virginia, USA, as United States personnel or as mercenaries, and if the latter, on whose behalf will they consider them as operating.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The equip and train programme will be managed by the private, US-based firm MPRI, who will be under contract to the Bosnian Federation. We have been assured that no serving military personnel will be involved.