Near Abroad Doctrine

HC Deb 29 April 1999 vol 330 cc260-1W

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out Her Majesty's Government's policy on the right of UN members, or regional organisations, to intervene in the territory of other member states on the basis of the near abroad doctrine; and if he will make a statement. [82664]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

The United Nations Charter preserves the right of a state or group of states to use force in self-defence in accordance with Article 51; the Charter also allows the use of force under the authorisation of the Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the Charter. Cases have also arisen, as in Kosovo, when in the light of all the circumstances the use of force is justifiable in support of purposes laid down by the Security Council when that was the only means to avert an immediate and overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe. There is no accepted doctrine of the "near abroad".