HC Deb 26 April 1999 vol 330 cc7-8W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to prioritise the targeting of Serbian units engaged in war crimes over other Yugoslav National Army units; and if he will make a statement on the prospects for a policy distinguishing between the two. [81453]

Mr. George Robertson

It is for the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague to seek indictments against individuals she believes have been responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law during the Kosovo crisis. NATO's military campaign is explicitly designed to damage and disrupt the capability of the government in Belgrade to carry out repressive operations in Kosovo. Yugoslav decision-makers and commanders have been put on notice that their conduct is being scrutinised, and that information linking them to atrocities committed in Kosovo will be forwarded to the Tribunal.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the environmental damage done to(a) Serbia, (b) Montenegro and (c) Kosovo as a result of the bombing conducted by NATO forces; and what assessment has been made of the environmental destruction perpetrated by Yugoslav forces. [81580]

Mr. George Robertson

Environmental considerations are taken fully into account when targeting decisions are made; and the United Kingdom will comply with its obligations under the First Geneva Protocol, including Article 55, which concerns the protection of the natural environment. It is not currently possible to undertake an assessment of the environmental impact of NATO air strikes or the actions of Yugoslav forces.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by NATO military planners to ensure no bombs hit the RA Research Nuclear Reactor at Vinca near Belgrade; and what quantities of(a) nuclear fuel and (b) radioactive waste are held at the Vinca site. [81581]

Mr. George Robertson

The need to avoid dangerous emissions from plants such as Vinca is taken fully into account in making decisions on targeting; and the UK will comply with its obligations under the First Geneva Protocol 1977.

Questions about the quantity of fuel and waste at Vinca are a matter for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of(a) his daily press briefing in London, (b) the daily battle damage assessment and (c) the daily NATO briefing in Brussels in respect of the military action against Yugoslavia, (i) for each day since the action began and (ii) for each day until the military conflict ends. [81570]

Mr. George Robertson

Copies of my daily press briefing, which includes declassified information on battle damage, will be placed in the Library of the House as requested. The daily NATO briefing from Brussels is available on the internet at http\\ www.nato.int\kosovo\speeches.htm.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many free-fall bombs have been dropped on Yugoslavia in the last month; and what assessment he has made of the reliability of tail-fin guided direction. [81971]

Mr. George Robertson

A total of 242 unguided bombs have been dropped by British aircraft in support of Operation Allied Force up to 22 April. They are assessed to have performed reliably and within design specifications.