Written question asked by John Austin (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 November 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Monday, 16 November 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will comment on the progress of the investigations by the International Criminal Tribunal in Kosovo.

Answer: Mr. Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the investigations by the International Criminal Tribunal in Kosovo. [59483] Mr. Tony Lloyd: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has conducted initial investigations in Kosovo following the announcement in July by Justice Arbour that in her view the conflict there falls within the Tribunal's mandate. Along with our EU Partners we have formally protested to the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia following their recent decision not to issue the necessary visas to Justice Arbour and her officials to enable them to carry out further investigations in Kosovo. We have made it clear to Belgrade that their actions constitute non-compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1160, 1199 and 1203. We are supporting the adoption of a new UN Security Council Resolution demanding the full cooperation of the Federal Authorities with the ICTY. A draft resolution is currently being discussed in New York.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c415W;319 c414-5W; 59483
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Tribunals Visas War crimes UN resolutions Serbia Kosovo International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia