§ 17. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he proposes to take at the United Nations in connection with the continued Russian military occupation of Czechoslovakia.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsI have nothing to add to what I told my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick) on 17th February.—[Vol. 778, c. 12–13.]
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that if the United Nations continues trying to ignore the occupation of one member by another it will go the same way as the old League of Nations? Is it not possible for Her Majesty's Government to take an initiative to enable the United Nations at least to put on record that it will neither forget not forgive the rape of Czechoslovakia?
§ Mr. RobertsThis has been done, and we have been prompt and precise in our own contribution to that condemnation. This question remains on the agenda of the United Nations so that it can be discussed again at an appropriate time if necessary. I would add that the Government of Czechoslovakia have said that they do not wish this question to be discussed further in the United Nations.
§ Mr. Gwynfor EvansWould the right hon. Gentleman commend the Czech and the Slovak nations for giving the world a lead by defending their national life by moral, non-violent means and by not resorting to the use of military violence in defence of their national freedom?
§ Mr. RobertsI think we all admire the posture and temper of the Czech and Slovak nations in their very difficult situation.