§ Baroness Rawlingsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What verification they have sought of the report in the 24 May edition of Newsweek magazine that several weeks ago the United States Joint Chiefs of 140WA Staff wrote to the United States Secretary of Defense saying that ground troops must be committed to "guarantee fulfilment of the Administration's political objectives"; whether they agree with this assessment; and what is their response to suggestions that it confirms the existence of a gap between the political and military leadership of NATO; and HL2628
What is their response to criticism this week by General Colin Powell, the former head of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, that NATO's current policy towards Yugoslavia hands President Milosevic a veto over the Alliance's action by effectively allowing him, and not NATO, to decide when ground troops can enter Kosovo to oversee the return of Kosovo Albanian refugees. [HL2629]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)President Milosevic has no veto over decisions on NATO's ground deployments. NATO's air campaign is steadily degrading the capability of Serbian military, police and paramilitary forces to conduct ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and is increasing the pressure on President Milosevic to agree to NATO'S conditions for a political settlement. A ground force to assist the safe return of refugees is assembling in Macedonia and plans for a ground deployment are being continuously assessed by NATO. This approach is supported by all members of the Alliance.
The internal correspondence of NATO members is a matter for the nation involved.