HC Deb 28 February 1966 vol 725 cc892-3
27. Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Dominican Republic concerning the situation there; what action Her Majesty's Government's delegate to the United Nations has taken; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. George Thomson

As my right hon. Friend will know, general elections are due to be held in the Dominican Republic on 1st June. The President of the Provisional Government, which Her Majesty's Government have recognised, is faced in the interim period with many difficult problems arising out of the divisions within the country which created last year's crisis. I know that it will be the wish of the House that the elections in the Dominican Republic should take place peacefully as planned.

The Security Council last met to consider the Dominican situation in July 1965. There has been no occasion for my noble Friend Lord Caradon to take action since then.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is my hon. Friend aware that the killing has gone on in recent weeks, that the officers of the military junta are flouting the orders of the provisional President which they promised to obey and that, apparently, they are doing so with the support of the C.I.A.? Is it not time that the competence and obligations of the United Nations were again asserted?

Mr. Thomson

I should like to inform my right hon. Friend that the United Nations Secretary-General is kept continually abreast of developments in the Dominican Republic by means of regular reports from his special representative at Santo Domingo. Our information is that the situation in the Dominican Republic has calmed down again following the end of the general strike on 16th February. I am sure that the best way to make progress with the very difficult problem to which my right hon. Friend has referred is to have general elections in conditions of peace and without violence.