§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, if they "unequivocally condemn the recruitment use and financing of mercenaries" (HC Deb., WA 62)—(a) the FCO discussed the events in Sierra Leone with Messrs. Sandline; and (b) they concurred with the training of Bosniac forces in Bosnia by an American mercenary firm; and whether they will now take steps to prevent the spread of mercenary activity. [HL2646]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The Sandline/Sierra Leone issue has been addressed by the Legg investigation and the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Government have responded in full. The Foreign and Commonwealth office and the Ministry of Defence have introduced new guidelines on officials' contacts with private military companies.
We know of no training of Bosniac forces in Bosnia by mercenaries, US or otherwise.
We have undertaken to publish a Green Paper on mercenary activity by October 2000.