The Government's policy in relation to former Yugoslavia continues to be based on the main elements which I set out in my replies on 7 July, namely: support for the peace process, now underway within the framework of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia under the auspices of the European Community and the United Nations; support for and involvement in efforts on the ground in the region to establish the conditions for a negotiated settlement; support for international action against Serbia and Montenegro and support for humanitarian action to assist displaced persons or refugees and for besieged communities in Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia-Hercegovina.
I advocated, and very much welcomed, the establishment of the International Conference of Former Yugoslavia, which had its inaugural meeting in London at the end of August 1992 and which has been meeting continuously in Geneva since then. The international conference is co-chaired by the United Nations and the European Community. The conference is representative of the wider international community. It aims at a comprehensive settlement, both of the problems between the former Yugoslav republics and also those which are internal to those republics. It is guided by a clear set of principles which we agreed in London.
The UN Security Council, with our encouragement and support, is also fully involved and is assisting the efforts of the international conference. Some 5,000 additional peace-keeping troops are being deployed in Bosnia-Hercegovina to protect humanitarian convoys. This is in addition to the 1,500 troops already in Bosnia and some 15,000 UN personnel already deployed in Croatia. Military flights over Bosnia have been banned by the Security Council, though there have been disquieting reports of such flights continuing. The last Yugoslav army units in Croatia have recently been withdrawn. A commission of experts has been established by the UN Secretary-General to investigate violations of human rights.
We condemn utterly the violence and so-called ethnic-cleansing which has continued in Bosnia-Hercegovina, but the international conference has made some progress, particularly towards the normalisation of relations between Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, that is Serbia and Montenegro. In addition, the conference made proposals on 28 October for a constitutional structure for Bosnia-Hercegovina. However, it is clear that the peace process will be long and difficult, as has been demonstrated by the negative reaction of some Bosnian Serbs to these proposals. We will continue to use our influence to ensure that the momentum is maintained.
We are making a practical contribution to activities on the ground which support the peace process. In response to a request from the Secretary-General, Ireland agreed to provide six military observers and 20 gardaí to the United Nations peace-keeping force in the former Yugoslavia — UNPROFOR. In addition, there are six Irish military personnel serving with the European Community Monitor Mission in Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina and in Bulgaria.
The members of the European Community have not recognised the federal entity of Serbia and Montenegro. These republics bear primary responsibility for the tragedy in Bosnia-Hercegovina. We believe that the economic sanctions imposed by the European Community and by the UN Security Council must be maintained until commitments made by Serbia and Montenegro have been realised. We are, therefore, supporting the joint EC-CSCE programmes in countries bordering on the former Yugoslavia to tighten the economic and arms embargos. Serbia and Montenegro have been denied the seat of the former Yugoslavia in the UN General Assembly and they now face exclusion from other international fora.
The Government are gravely concerned at the human tragedy unfolding in the former Yugoslavia, which is being exacerbated by the onset of winter. This was a major preoccupation for the European Council at its 16 October meeting in Birmingham. The Council agreed that steps should be taken urgently to provide winter shelter and to ensure the prompt delivery of relief supplies. Community assistance is being accelerated; further staff and resources are being deployed to strengthen UNHCR's capacity and an EC task force has been set up.
Ireland is contributing to the vital effort. In addition to the £100,000 given to UNHCR in July 1991, £200,000 has now been allocated for humanitarian aid to the region. Ireland will also supply up to four logistical officers to assist the UN High Commission for Refugees in order to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian aid operations in the Yugoslav region. Following the admission to Ireland of a group of 178 Bosnian refugees in September, consideration is also being given to the admission of close family members of this group. I apologise for the length of the reply.
