Select Committee on Foreign Affairs Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence


APPENDIX 39

Letter to the Prime Minister from the Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees

  Our two Committees are currently conducting inquiries into Kosovo. It is clear that there are a number of intelligence—related issues which it will be necessary for us to consider as part of our work.

  The two Committees have therefore decided to seek separate but sequential evidence sessions with a representative of the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Chief of Defence Intelligence (who would appear together). There are several precedents for CDI giving formal evidence to the Defence Committee, and he has also given formal evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee. However, we are asking for your agreement that a JIC representative should appear with him. It is only in this way that we will be able to examine fully the intelligence background to the campaign against Yugoslavia.

  We emphasise that the evidence will be taken in private; that the transcripts will be kept in secure conditions, and that the normal sidelining rules will apply.


 
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