Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 3 November 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action has been taken to pursue those responsible for the murder in the summer of two Serbian boys by snipers in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken to pursue those responsible for the murder in the summer of two Serbian boys by snipers in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [135437] Mr. Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Denis MacShane) issued a press statement on behalf of the Government on 14 August condemning the attack. The NATO-led force in Kosovo (K-FOR) and the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMIK) immediately launched efforts to pursue those responsible. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) established a special investigative team. K-FOR deployed 300 troops, tracker dogs, and increased ground and air patrols. UNMIK police set up mobile reserve units to conduct random vehicle checkpoints, and vehicle and foot patrols targeted with the specific aims of interdicting movement of persons with weapons and checking for criminals. The UK fully supports the ongoing efforts of UNMIK Police and K-FOR to find the perpetrators of this terrible attack.

Secondary information