HC Deb 23 June 1999 vol 333 cc396-7W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the timetable for disarming the KLA. [87306]

Mr. George Robertson

In the undertaking signed with KFOR on 21 June, the KLA have agreed that, within thirty days, all prohibited weapons with the exception of automatic small arms will be handed in to secure weapons storage sites. Automatic small arms will be handed in in phases over ninety days.

I am placing a copy of the undertaking in the Library of the House.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what day to day contact British officers have with their Russian counterparts in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87569]

Mr. George Robertson

Day-to-day communication between British forces and the Russian contingent in Kosovo has been through a Russian-speaking UK liaison officer. There have also been meetings between KFOR commander Lt Gen Jackson and the commander of the Russian forces in Kosovo, Gen Zavarzin. Gp Capt Morley, the UK officer responsible for the establishment of an air port of disembarkation (APOD) for NATO forces at Pristina airport, has also held discussions with Russian officers. Following the recent agreement on the integration of Russian forces into the peacekeeping effort in Kosovo, more formal lines of communication are now being established.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure NATO remains solely in charge of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87568]

Mr. George Robertson

Operation Joint Guardian remains a NATO led operation. As far as Russian participation in KFOR is concerned, the arrangement recently negotiated between the US and Russian Defence Ministers, and agreed by the North Atlantic Council, ensures that there will be unity of command under the NATO Commander of Operation Joint Guardian, Lieutenant General Sir Mike Jackson. Political direction will continue to be given by the North Atlantic Council, with consultations on Russian participation through the Permanent Joint Council.

Mr. Burgon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of British forces committed to Kosovo operations. [88210]

Mr. George Robertson

As of 21 June, some 13,000 UK service personnel were deployed on Kosovo related operations, as followsRoyal Navy: 880 Army: 10,320 (7,300 in Kosovo, 2,900 in Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia and 120 in Albania) RAF: 1,800.

The RAF element of the UK contribution to Kosovo operations will be reduced to around 900 as a result of the decision announced yesterday to re-deploy all 12 RAF Tornados from Solenzara in Corsica to RAF Bruggen, five VC10 tankers from Ancona in Italy to RAF Brize Norton and 10 Harrier GR7s from Gioia del Colle in Italy to RAF Wittering. Six GR7s will remain in at Gioia del Colle, two Tristars at Ancona and up to three E-3Ds at Aviano in Italy. Nimrod R reconnaissance sorties will continue to be flown, albeit at reduced frequency. The aircraft withdrawn to their home bases remain available for Kosovo operations if required.