§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian Federation Government concerning the level of civilian control over its military; and if he will make a statement. [88330]
§ Ms QuinThe Prime Minister discussed the rapid deployment of Russian paratroops to Pristina with Russian Prime Minister Stepashin at the G8 Cologne Summit on 18 June. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this incident with Foreign Minister Ivanov on 13 June. The Russians agreed that trust is important for closer co-operation between our forces on the ground in Kosovo. We have also supported training courses for the Russian military on civilian and democratic management of the armed forces.