HC Deb 01 November 2000 vol 355 c530W
Maria Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the supply of hydraulic lifting equipment for use by the Irish KFOR contingent in Kosovo. [136516]

Mr. Vaz

We are happy to approve an export licence for the supply of spare parts for the maintenance of hydraulic lifting systems for use by the Irish KFOR contingent. The goods will assist KFOR in the valuable work they are doing reconstructing a peaceful Kosovo.

These goods appear on the UK's military list. UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1160 (1998) prohibits the supply of arms and related material to the FRY. However, UNSCR 1244 (1999) provides that the prohibitions imposed by SCR 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.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Sherbimi Informativ I Kosaves is(a) officially and (b) informally active in Kosovo. [134197]

Mr. Vaz

The UN Mission in Kosovo has not given permission to any organisation called Sherbimi Informativ I Kosaves (or Kosovo Intelligence Service) to be active in Kosovo. The international presence in Kosovo continues to monitor and take action against any parallel structures or institutions in Kosovo where they pose a threat to KFOR' s or UNMIK' s objectives.