§ Lord Russell-Johnstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will convene, in co-operation with the United States, an international conference, with an open agenda involving both the Yugoslav Government and the parallel governmental structures headed by President Ibrahim Rugova, to seek urgently a peaceful solution of the Kosovan crisis which guarantees the human rights and freedoms of all individuals and groups within the region. [HL1040]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We have no plans to convene such a conference. However, Her Majesty's Government have played a leading role both in the Contact Group on the former Yugoslavia and in the European Union in seeking to persuade the Government in Belgrade and the leaders of the Kosovar Albanians, including Dr. Rugova, urgently to begin a meaningful dialogue, without preconditions, on the future status of Kosovo. Her Majesty's Government firmly believe that the Kosovo crisis can only be satisfactorily resolved through dialogue and, in conjunction with their partners in the Contact Group, have made clear to both sides their willingness to help facilitate such a process.