§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they have encouraged NATO to take in order to make clear to the ethnic Albanian insurgents in Macedonia and in Kosovo that violence is not in the long-term interests of all the peoples in the region. [HL1432]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThroughout the crisis in Macedonia the UK has strongly supported the strenuous efforts of NATO and its Secretary General, Lord Robertson. We fully endorsed the Secretary General's statement of 21 March which called on all 3WA political leaders, especially in Kosovo and in ethnic Albanian communities in Macedonia, to condemn violence unreservedly and work to end it. UK forces in Kosovo, with Scandinavian support, have formed an extra battlegroup, Task Force Cambrai, which has deployed to the Kosovo Macedonian border to help prevent unauthorised crossings by extremists groups.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they have taken to emphasise Britain's support for the Macedonian Government following the recent actions of ethnic Albanian insurgents in Macedonia. [HL1431]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalFrom the outset of the crisis the UK has led efforts in the UN, EU and NATO to condemn the extremist violence in Macedonia. We drafted and supported UNSCR 1345 which made clear the international community's support for the Macedonian Government and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Macedonia. Throughout the crisis British Ministers have been in close contact with Macedonian counterparts. On 5 April the Foreign Secretary visited Skopje to meet the Macedonian President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and leaders from the ethnic Albanian political parties.