Mr Major’s Comments on the Former Yugoslavia (II) – 11 January 1994

Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on the former Yugoslavia during an interview given in Brussels on Tuesday 11th January 1994.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked whether the threat of air strikes was useful as it had been used before].

PRIME MINISTER:

I don’t think NATO have made threats in that sense. NATO has set out its policy in certain circumstances, they did that last August. What has happened today is we have set out two specific areas where we think action is needed: one is in Srebrenica where it is necessary to get the Canadian United Nations contingent out and the Dutch contingent in, and secondly, of course, at Tusla airport where it is very desirable to open the airport to increase the flow of humanitarian aid.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked if there was now a mandate].

PRIME MINISTER:

There are a number of people who have to agree with that. It isn’t just a question of snapping your fingers and then proceeding. There has to be a proper plan drawn up, it has to be agreed by a series of people, in some cases by the United Nations Secretary-General but it is agreed that we will prepare plans for those contingencies.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked if this was likely to be the situation].

PRIME MINISTER:

That is not for me to determine. We have made it clear that if necessary it will happen and if necessary it may involve the use of air strikes.