§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I should like, as I undertook last week, to make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's policy in the Gulf before the debate on the Defence White Paper in this House.
The Gulf is an area of outstanding strategic importance, not only to this country but also to Europe and the rest of the world. In January, 1968, the former Government announced their intention to terminate the treaties with Bahrain, Qatar and the seven Trucial States by the end of 1971 and to withdraw British forces from the region. These decisions taken by our predecessors created a new and difficult situation. They brought to the surface tensions which had hitherto lain dormant and led a number of countries which had previously accepted the British presence in the area to declare opposition to its continuance.
In these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government have given very careful consideration to the future relationship between Britain and the Gulf States. In accordance with their undertakings given before the General Election, they have held consultations with the Rulers to consider how best Britain could con- 1228 tribute in the future to the stability of the area.
Hon. Members are aware that the Rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and the seven Trucial States are continuing discussions among themselves about how an acceptable Union of Arab Emirates can be formed. The Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti Governments are also involved in these negotiations. We do not yet know what decisions will be taken, so my statement today must be related solely to the situation as it stands at present.
Her Majesty's Government strongly support the development of a Union of Arab Emirates. The Rulers have recently been told what Her Majesty's Government are prepared to offer to a Union in the way of continuing links and assistance.
First, we are prepared to offer a Treaty of Friendship containing an undertaking to consult together in time of need.
Secondly, Her Majesty's Government are willing to hand over the Trucial Oman Scouts, a force whose efficiency and value is well proven and to which I pay tribute today for its rôle in maintaining peace in the Trucial States, to form a nucleus of a Union Army. We are prepared to make available British officers and other personnel on loan to the Union's forces and to assist in the supply of equipment. The Union itself would naturally assume full financial responsibility for its own forces.
Thirdly, if the Union wishes, elements of British forces, including training teams to assist with the training of Union security forces, could be stationed there on a continuing basis to act in a liaison and training role.
Fourthly, training exercises involving British Army and Air Force units could take place regularly.
Fifthly, there would be regular visits to the area by ships of the Royal Navy.
Provisions would be made for the review of these arrangements where relevant.
On their side, Her Majesty's Government would expect the Government of the Union to continue to permit the overflying and staging of British military aircraft through Union territory on the lines of the present arrangements. 1229 In addition, Her Majesty's Government are ready to consider ways of assisting local police forces if so requested. We are also prepared to help the Union in development and other appropriate fields.
The Rulers have been told that the Treaty of Friendship and these proposals would replace the existing Treaties between the United Kingdom and Bahrain, Qatar and the seven Trucial States. These Treaties, which are the present basis of the Protected status of these nine states and of Her Majesty's Government's right to conduct their international relations, will cease by the end of 1971.
I believe, Mr. Speaker, that arrangements of this kind will form a sound basis for a continuing and effective British contribution to the stability of the area, and a new and up to date relationship between Britain and the States concerned.
The Rulers are considering these arrangements and I will keep in mind the possibility of a visit to the area by one of my right hon. Friends or by myself if this would help towards a satisfactory outcome.
§ Mr. HealeyThe House will understand the right hon. Gentleman's reluctance to admit that he was wrong for so long. But it is not extraordinary that he should have said nothing in his statement about his decision to withdraw our existing operational forces by the end of this year, as planned by the Labour Government? Has not the withdrawal been continuing ever since the present Government took power last June? Will not he make it clear to the House, as he has already made clear to all the Governments in the area, that no British forces will be permanently stationed in the Gulf after the end of this year? Indeed, since the right hon. Gentleman has announced that he has terminated all our existing treaties with Kuwait, Qatar and the Trucial States, it is very difficult to see what basis there could be for the presence of those forces.
Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that from the beginning of next year there will be no operational forces permanently stationed in the Gulf and that, as his statement implies, no agreement has yet been reached on the presence of British forces for exercises or on over-flying and staging rights for British aircraft? The 1230 right hon. Gentleman used the word "could" and not "would" throughout his statement in this regard.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Opposition share his desire for the establishment and success of a Union of Arab Emirates? Indeed, we launched it on its way. We believe that this would be the right framework within which the Trucial Oman Scouts should continue to contribute to stability in that pan of the area. Does he recognise that one reason for the slow progress of the Union is precisely the fact that he and his right hon. Friends gave the Rulers of those States, as they gave the British people and their own party, the impression that they planned to stay in the Gulf and not to leave?
The Opposition welcome the right hon. Gentleman's conversion, however belated, to the views of the Labour Government, and we look forward to further conversions at an early date.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI hope that the right hon. Gentleman will not try to brag about the late Government's actions in relation to the Gulf. First they vacillated and then they acted precipitately, with no thought for the future. They would have been out of the Gulf with no thought and no arrangement made for any future plans. Their performance was calamitous. Anyone who has succeeded them knows how terribly difficult it will be to put the pieces together again in any satisfactory way.
The right hon. Gentleman asked about the presence of British troops and whether such arrangements as I have outlined have been agreed. They have not been agreed yet, because the Union is not agreed. But we know from all the Rulers and all the countries round about that the proposals I have outlined will have the support of all the Rulers and, what is more, the countries that are neighbours to the Gulf. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will feel that that is a satisfactory answer.
As to troops being present in the Gulf, I have said that, if the Union wants, elements of Her Majesty's Forces can be stationed permanently in the Gulf. That depends on whether or not the Union wants it.
§ Mr. HealeyWhile we understand the right hon. Gentleman's desire to raise a 1231 flaccid cheer from his own supporters, is he aware that the fact is that all the progress which has been made in the Gulf in the past 20 years towards cooperation among the local States, notably between Iran and Saudi Arabia, on the future of Bahrain and the movement towards a union in the lower Gulf, started only after Her Majesty's Government announced three years in advance that they planned to leave the Gulf.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeNo, Sir. I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman could sustain that thesis. There has been confusion in the Gulf. Tensions have been raised, and it is very difficult to find a reasonable solution for the future. The right hon. Gentleman certainly cannot contest—if he tries to, he will be confounded by the local people—that all the Rulers want the kind of proposal I have made. So does Saudi Arabia, and so does Iran. The proposal involves the offer to the Emirs that, if they wish, elements of British troops can be permanently stationed there, and there will be training units for their forces if they desire.
§ Mr. HealeyThe Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is deliberately trying to distort his own statement. Is it not the case that the only offer made in his statement regarding the permanent presence of British troops is in a liaison and training and not in an operational rôle?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have said that the troops will be stationed there in a liaison and training rôle. That is what the Emirs say they require, so they will be there.
§ Mr. SandysMy right hon. Friend has explained what Her Majesty's Government are prepared to do when the Union is formed. Can he give us an assurance that until such time as the Union is formed and is capable of assuring some stability in that vital area the exisitng British military presence will not be withdrawn?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe military presence is due to be withdrawn by the end of 1971, but we have sufficient time to form the union. If the Union is not formed I shall return to the House.
§ Mr. HoosonDoes the right hon. Gentleman's statement mean that, whatever the Rulers agree among themselves, it is not the Government's intention to have an operational presence in the Gulf after the end of 1971? What does he mean by the statement that the Government are considering ways of assisting the local police if so requested? Does not that make us hostages to fortune in that part of the world?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThere are a number of places where we give help with training police, for example, and help with intelligence training. This is not at all exceptional. As to the future, I made it quite clear that all I could help the House with today in advance of the defence debate was a statement about the position as it is now. I do not think that it is helpful to speculate too far ahead as to what the position might be.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We are about to have a debate on these matters.