HC Deb 25 October 2000 vol 355 cc148-51W
Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on efforts to find a peaceful resolution of tensions between Serbia and Montenegro. [134094]

Mr. Vaz

I am in regular contact with my European counterparts on all aspects of the political situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Tensions have subsided dramatically following the departure of Slobodan Milosevic. I am encouraged that President Kostunica of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and President Djukanovic of Montenegro appear willing to resolve remaining differences peacefully and democratically.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his(a) EU and (b) American counterparts regarding the developments in the southern Balkans. [134080]

Mr. Vaz

I am in regular and frequent contact with my European Union and US colleagues on all matters relating to the Balkans. The conclusions of the EU General Affairs Council on 9 October showed the common determination of EU member states to support fully the very positive changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political and security situation in(a) Kosovo, (b) Serbia, (c) Montenegro, (d) Vojvodina and (e) Sandjak. [134087]

Mr. Vaz

The fall of the Milosevic regime has given considerable reason for optimism about the political future and prospects for peace and security in the Balkans. Preparations for municipal elections in Kosovo on 28 October are on track, following which municipal assemblies will be established. The security situation has significantly improved although ethnic violence remains a serious problem. President Kostunica has already begun a dialogue aimed at improving relations between Serbia and Montenegro. There was also widespread electoral support on 24 September for the new democratic forces in both Vojvodina and the Sandjak area of Serbia.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Kosovska Mitrovica; [134086]

(2) what assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Mitrovica; and if he will make a statement. [134082]

Mr. Vaz

The political and security situation in Mitrovica remains tense. UNMIK and KFOR are taking steps to improve public order and to counter extremist activities. UNMIK is also trying to improve the quality of life for Serbs in northern Mitrovica. Our longer term aim is to promote ethnic reconciliation between the two communities. We hope the recent changes in Belgrade will improve the situation in Mitrovica, which has suffered in the past from interference by the Milosevic regime.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Kosovo Serbs in Northern Mitrovica have registered for the Kosovo autumn elections. [134083]

Mr. Vaz

Figures provided by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) suggest that to all intents and purposes, there has been virtually no registration by Kosovo Serbs in Northern Mitrovica. This was due, in part at least, to intimidation by the former Milosevic regime. UNMIK are taking steps to ensure that despite being unable to vote, Serbs will be represented on the municipal councils.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken to ensure that the OSCE mission in Kosovo registers the displaced non-Albanians to allow them to vote in the forthcoming elections. [134088]

Mr. Vaz

Within Kosovo the UN/OSCE Joint Registration Task Force had registered approximately 1 million people before the official close of Registrations on 19 July 2000. To encourage registration the OSCE Mission in Kosovo mounted extensive public information campaigns and regular meetings with representatives of all ethnic groups. Out-of-Kosovo registration was contracted out to the Institute of Migration who have registered just under 40,000 people. Unfortunately as a result of Milosevic's deliberate policy of non-co-operation with the International Community those displaced persons resident in Serbia were not able to register.

Registration figures are not broken down on ethnic lines.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in establishing the Kosovo War and Ethnic Crimes Court. [134081]

Mr. Hain

The proposal for a Kosovo War and Ethnic Crimes Court is still under consideration within the UN system.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by(a) UNMIK, (b) the EU, (c) the International Committee for the Red Cross and (d) the International Commissioner for Human Rights to secure the release of the Kosovo Albanian prisoners detained in Serbia. [134084]

Mr. Vaz

UNMIK, the EU, the International Committee for the Red Cross and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights worked hard on this issue while Milosevic was in power. The recent change of power in Belgrade brings new hope of a resolution. President Kostunica is aware of the importance the international community accords to this issue and we along with others will continue to raise it.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Kosovo Albanian prisoners are detained in Serbia. [134085]

Mr. Vaz

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) some 942 detainees from Kosovo are currently held in prisons in Serbia.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Kosovo Serbs have registered for the Kosovo autumn elections. [134089]

Mr. Vaz

Although registration figures are not broken down on ethnic lines, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Kosovo, which is responsible for organising the forthcoming elections, estimate that under 1,000 Serbs have registered to vote.

This low figure was due, in part at least, to intimidation by the former Milosevic regime. UNMIK are taking steps to ensure that despite being unable to vote, Serbs will be represented on the municipal councils.

Mr. Maude

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met Dr. Bernard Kouchner; and if he will make a statement on the progress of reconstruction in Kosovo. [134091]

Mr. Vaz

The Foreign Secretary last met Dr. Kouchner on 30 March this year.

UNMIK have made significant progress in their reconstruction efforts since June 1999. Schools have reopened with over a quarter of them repaired and refurbished and 90 per cent. of Kosovo children back in school. Extensive housing reconstruction is under way and will be stepped up.

UNMIK have begun work on a public reconstruction and investment programme for the period 2001 to 2003 which will set out Kosovo's needs for the medium term.