§ Baroness Goudieasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they are taking with regard to the supply of demining equipment for use by Bactec International in Kosovo. [HL2278]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have approved the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of 18 sets of protective body armour and helmets for use by BACTEC International Ltd, an organisation engaged in humanitarian demining activities in Kosovo on behalf of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK).
These goods are on the Military List. UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1160 (1998) imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that in UNSCR 1244 (1999) which provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for use by the international civil and security presence in Kosovo. We have notified the UN Sanctions Committee of this export and it has raised no objection. The export of the equipment required for demining purposes is not prohibited by the EU arms embargo.