§ 14. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds Her Majesty's Government recognised the new military junta in Greece on 4th December 1973.
§ 21. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he had with the latest military junta in Greece before recognising it on 4th December 1973; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Anthony Royle)We have recognised the new Government in Greece because they fulfil our normal criteria for recognition, which are well known. We had no communication with the Government before we recognised them on 4th December.
§ Mr. WhiteheadIs it not a fact that the Government recognised the previous colonels' régime in Greece after a rigged plebiscite following the illegal deposition of King Constantine, and that not even a plebiscite has taken place this time? How many other successor régimes of colonels and secret police and the like will be allowed to follow each other in Greece before we follow the lead given 1339 by the Danes and other friends of ours in Europe and say firmly to the Greek colonels that they have no part in free European institutions, including NATO, until democracy is restored in Greece?
§ Mr. RoyleThe hon. Gentleman will realise that we follow normal previous practice regarding recognition of régimes in Greece. In fact, in the original coup in April 1967 normal business was interrupted by the Labour Government, who resumed relations after six days. As for the EEC, I understand that most of our partners maintain that they recognise States and not, as we do, Governments. They simply continue to carry on normal diplomatic relations with the Greeks.
§ Mr. WoodhouseDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that nobody outside his Department believes in the fiction that diplomatic recognition does not confer approval? Consequently, does not diplomatic recognition help to reinforce and strengthen revolutionary Governments, and is it not time the Foreign Office devised a more up-to-date doctrine?
§ Mr. RoyleThe policy of recognition which this country follows is based on an assessment of the facts. Neither the time it takes us to assess a situation nor our recognition of a Government implies moral or political approval, or the reverse. I am sure that my hon. Friend is aware of that fact.
§ Mr. JuddWhy are the Government so coy about condemning dictatorship in a police State in the West? On the question of Greece remaining a member of NATO, was not NATO brought into existence as a collective form of defence of freedom and democracy? Do not we have a collective responsibility to preserve those values within the Western Community as well as seeking to preserve Western unity against external threats?
§ Mr. RoyleThe hon. Gentleman does not seem to be aware of what took place at the ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council on 10th and 12th December. The British Government share the hopes expressed at the Council meeting that the Greek Government will prepare the way for a return to democracy. We see no advantage in discussing in NATO the internal affairs of Greece. It does not help the cohesion 1340 of the alliance and is not likely to accelerate progress towards democracy in Greece.