Written question asked by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 March 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 March 2001 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 make a statement on Nato's decision to allow Serb forces into a section of the buffer zone between Kosovo and Macedonia.

Answer: Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on NATO's decision to allow Serb forces into a section of the buffer zone between Kosovo and Macedonia. [154012] Mr. Vaz: Following the successful negotiation of a ceasefire between the Yugoslav army and local Albanian leaders, the Commander of KFOR (COMKFOR) has authorised the return of FRY forces to one sector of the 5 km Ground Safety Zone (GSZ). Around 900 FRY military personnel have deployed to a small section of the GSZ on the border with Macedonia. In accordance with pre-conditions laid down by COMKFOR, they will not deploy any tanks or heavy artillery. They must also ensure that no Serb irregular or paramilitary forces enter the GSZ. The deployment is being monitored by KFOR.

Secondary information