HC Deb 25 July 1960 vol 627 cc1048-50
4. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, in accordance with Article 35 of the Charter, bring the dispute between the United States of America and Cuba to the attention of the Security Council of the United Nations.

26. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of Sate for Foreign Affairs whether, in relation to the dispute between the United States of America and Cuba, he will draw the attention of the Security Council of the United Nations to the need for the strict observance of the provisions of the Charter relating to non-interference in the internal affairs of member-States.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

The Security Council decided on 19th July to adjourn the consideration of this question pending the receipt of a report from the Organisation of American States. The latter were invited to lend their assistance towards the achievement of a peaceful solution of the present situation in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations". All other States were urged in the mean-time to refrain from any action which might increase the existing tensions.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Does the Foreign Secretary remember what happened when an appeal from Guatemala was referred by the Security Council to the Organisation of American States? Does he remember then saying in the House that such a thing must never happen again?

Mr. Lloyd

I should like the right hon. Gentleman to remind me of my actual words and their context. I think it is in accordance with Article 33 of the Charter that this procedure should be adopted. In this case, I think that the States of Latin America are more likely to be able to handle this situation.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Does the Foreign Secretary recall that last time there was something very like a sponsored revolution, which was protected by this procedure? Will he make sure that the sane thing does not happen now?

Mr. Lloyd

I am not quite certain where the sponsorship comes from at present.

Mr. Swingler

Does the Foreign Secretary recall what happened in Guatemala, quite apart from what happened in Suez and other places? In view of certain statements and certain comments made about what might happen in the next few weeks in relation to Cuba, will not he carry out the suggestion made in my Question of drawing the attention of the parties concerned to the need for observing non-interference in the affairs of Member States?

Mr. Lloyd

That is exactly what the resolution says. It asks people in the meantime to refrain from any action which might increase the tension. I would point out that no votes were cast against this resolution; nine members of the Security Council voted for it and two—the Soviet Union and Poland—abstained.