HC Deb 07 May 1964 vol 694 cc1454-6
Q5. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Prime Minister whether he will raise in the Security Council, as a threat to world peace, the use of subversion by member States to overthrow the legitimate Governments of other States.

The Prime Minister

This is a question more appropriately considered in the General Assembly and it has in fact been considered by the Sixth Committee.

Mr. Goodhew

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at this moment there are Egyptian troops and arms in the Yemen, there are tribesmen armed with Egyptian arms and weapons in the Federation of South Arabia, there are Indonesian guerrilla troops in Malaysia, there are Congolese terrorists in the Congo, and there are now reports of Cairo-trained terrorists in Southern Rhodesia, apart from the fact that certain independent African countries are threatening to train terrorists for activities in Southern Rhodesia and South Africa? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that these are a much greater threat to world security and peace than the domestic policies of Southern Rhodesia and Africa? Should they not, therefore, be much more urgently investigated by the United Nations?

The Prime Minister

Yes, and when I spoke to the United Nations in the autumn I drew particular attention to the question of subversion and said that there could not be any hope of world peace until it was abandoned—and abandoned by the Soviet Union and by the Chinese. Of course it goes on. I am aware of the facts in respect of Indonesia and the Federation of South Arabia. We have ourselves brought this matter to the attention of the Security Council and to the attention of the President, and we will take any further steps that are necessary. As to Indonesia, any action in the United Nations would be for the Malaysians.

Mr. M. Foot

The Prime Minister speaks of the need to stamp out subversion. Could he tell the House whether he thinks that the United States Government are attempting to subvert the Government of Cuba?

The Prime Minister

I have no evidence of that sort. I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that the United States would like to see trade with Cuba limited. He also knows, I think, that I and the Government have resisted this.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Would the Prime Minister consider suggesting to the Secretary-General that he circularise all the members of the General Assembly of the United Nations reminding them of the Assembly's unanimous resolution in favour of peaceful coexistence and non-interference in the internal affairs of other member States?

The Prime Minister

Yes, and this matter has, as I said in my original Answer, been considered by the Sixth Committee, but I regret to say that it came to no very definite conclusion